Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

• Negotiations between the New Era and the Peoples Party do not result in the formation of a new government
• Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks and the parliamentary secretary of the Special Tasks Ministers Secretariat Aleksandrs Brandavs meet participants of the hunger strike
• Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry issues a statement regarding the mass protest actions in Latvia
• Latvijas Avize reports on the results of the research ‘Integration of Non-Latvian Youth in Latvian Society in the Context of the Education Reform
• Newspapers write about the usage of the Latvian language in classes at minority schools

Negotiations between the New Era and the People’s Party did not result in the formation of a new government. The key object of disagreement is the desire of both parties to nominate prime minister from their party. However, For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM has expressed readiness to start a dialogue with the People’s Party about the formation of a new right-wing government.

Negotiations between the New Era and the Peoples Party did not result in the formation of a new government. The key object of disagreement is the desire of both parties to nominate prime minister from their party. However, For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM has expressed readiness to start a dialogue with the Peoples Party about the formation of a new right-wing government. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Newspapers report that the Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks and the parliamentary secretary of the Special Tasks Minister’s Secretariat Aleksandrs Brandavs held a meeting with participants of the hunger strike who opposes the education reform. The Minister called the participants of the hunger strike to stop the strike. Participants of the strike responded that they would stop the strike when the moratorium on the education reform is established or the state is open to negotiations with a working group, appointed by the Congress of the Defenders of Russian-language schools. The participants of the hunger strike reproached the Minister for government’s disinterest in having a dialogue with them and called it discrimination on national grounds. ‘The meeting was doomed from the very beginning because the Minister declared that there will be no discussions about the establishment of a moratorium on the education reform or about abolishment of the education reform,’ stated a participant of the hunger strike.

Newspapers report that the Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks and the parliamentary secretary of the Special Tasks Ministers Secretariat Aleksandrs Brandavs held a meeting with participants of the hunger strike who opposes the education reform. The Minister called the participants of the hunger strike to stop the strike. Participants of the strike responded that they would stop the strike when the moratorium on the education reform is established or the state is open to negotiations with a working group, appointed by the Congress of the Defenders of Russian-language schools. The participants of the hunger strike reproached the Minister for governments disinterest in having a dialogue with them and called it discrimination on national grounds. ‘The meeting was doomed from the very beginning because the Minister declared that there will be no discussions about the establishment of a moratorium on the education reform or about abolishment of the education reform, stated a participant of the hunger strike. Vesti Segodnya. Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a statement regarding the mass protest actions of defenders of Russian-language schools in Latvia. In the statement, the Ministry says ‘no positive dynamics have been noted by Russia or its compatriots in Latvia in solving the well-known problems concerning the rights of the Russian-speaking population after Latvia’s accession in the European Union.’ The Ministry also reproaches Latvia for ignoring respective recommendations of the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE. It also mentions that repressions against supporters of the education reform, namely Aleksandrs Kazakovs, have been conducted.

The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a statement regarding the mass protest actions of defenders of Russian-language schools in Latvia. In the statement, the Ministry says ‘no positive dynamics have been noted by Russia or its compatriots in Latvia in solving the well-known problems concerning the rights of the Russian-speaking population after Latvias accession in the European Union. The Ministry also reproaches Latvia for ignoring respective recommendations of the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE. It also mentions that repressions against supporters of the education reform, namely Aleksandrs Kazakovs, have been conducted. Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize reports on the results of the research ‘Integration of Non-Latvian Youth in Latvian Society in the Context of the Education Reform conducted by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences. The research reveals that 56% teachers, 48% minority students and 24% their parents self-evaluated their Latvian language knowledge as ‘very good or ‘quite good, while 1% teachers, 10% parents and 1% students evaluated their Latvian language proficiency as ‘very bad. 74% students, 66% parents and 62% teachers believe that it is necessary to know Latvian language, if they want to find a job, but 73% students, 55% teachers and 41% parents believe that it is necessary to know Latvian to get education. 82% students use Latvian in communication with persons who do not know Russian, while 65% parents and 85% teachers use Latvian if they are addressed in Latvian.

Newspapers write about the usage of the Latvian language in classes at minority schools.

Newspapers write about the usage of the Latvian language in classes at minority schools. Rigas Balss, referring to its visit to several minority schools, states that the provision of the Law on Education, that 60% of lessons should be taught in Latvian, is not observed. ‘Because of the pressure made by politicians, the Education State Inspection has established an unofficial moratorium on the education reform, concludes the newspaper. The Head of the Inspection believes that minority schools need time to get used to the new requirements. The inspection will visit schools in November to learn about developments in the reforms implementation, but will conduct more serious inspections in March and April. Vesti Segodnya, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya