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.

• Interviews with the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete
• Director of the Society Integration Foundation Nils Sakss talks about activities of the Foundation in 2004
• Administrative Court of Riga refused a claim of Ruslan Pankratov against latvianisation of minority personal names in documents
• Rap group accused in incitement of national hatred in its song
• Saeima plans to discuss the declaration condemning the totalitarian occupation regime in Latvia
• Director of the Economic Institute of the Latvian Academy of Science Raita Karnite talks about migration
• Administrative Regional Court issues a positive ruling in the case of the member of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis

Latvijas Avize and Rigas Balss feature interviews with the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete about the implementation of the minority education reform. The Minister points to the need to explain the key goals and content of bilingual education to the broader public. The Minister stresses that the majority of society does not have information about the reform. Ina Druviete notes that Saeima does not plan to introduce any amendments to the Law on Education.

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Director of the Society Integration Foundation Nils Sakss about activities of the Foundation in 2004. According to Nils Sakss, EUR1,500,000 were allocated for ethnic integration projects this year. The biggest amount of this funding comes from the EU PHARE grant scheme. The Director also reports that in 2004 the number of submitted projects in the area of ethnic integration has dropped by 50% in comparison to 2003. Next year the share of the state funding allotted for the Foundation will be three times smaller, however, funding from the EU will increase and will reach the amount of EUR2,000,000.

The Administrative Court of Riga refused a claim submitted by Ruslan Pankratov. He objected against latvianisation of his first and last names (adding the ending -

The Administrative Court of Riga refused a claim submitted by Ruslan Pankratov. He objected against latvianisation of his first and last names (adding the ending -s) in his passport. Vesti Segodnya

State Security Police have launched investigation over incitement of national hatred towards Latvians in songs produced and sang by the rap group

State Security Police have launched investigation over incitement of national hatred towards Latvians in songs produced and sang by the rap group Dihlafoz&Nailz. Telegraf

Parliamentary groups of Saeima plans to launch discussions on the declaration on condemning the totalitarian occupation regime in Latvia. The declaration, developed by the working group composed of the MPs of the New Era, the People’s Party, the Latvians First Party, the Union of the Farmers and Greens, and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM, calls international organisations to recognise occupation of Latvia and provide assistance in elimination of its consequences. The declaration also foresees support for persons who wish to return to their home countries.

Parliamentary groups of Saeima plans to launch discussions on the declaration on condemning the totalitarian occupation regime in Latvia. The declaration, developed by the working group composed of the MPs of the New Era, the Peoples Party, the Latvians First Party, the Union of the Farmers and Greens, and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM, calls international organisations to recognise occupation of Latvia and provide assistance in elimination of its consequences. The declaration also foresees support for persons who wish to return to their home countries. Latvijas Avize

Chas prints an interview with the director of the Economic Institute of the Latvian Academy of Science Raita Karnite, who believes that the influx of immigrants in Latvia is inevitable if Latvia wants to become an economically developed country. Raita Karnite also argues that Latvia should develop immigration policy to be able to control immigration.

The Administrative Regional Court issued a positive ruling for the member of the Headquarters’ for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis. The activist appealed the ruling of the Riga Central Court, which stipulated that Jurijs Petropavlovskis should pay a fine in the amount of LVL 150 (EUR 217) for organising an unapproved protest action against the education reform.

The Administrative Regional Court issued a positive ruling for the member of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis. The activist appealed the ruling of the Riga Central Court, which stipulated that Jurijs Petropavlovskis should pay a fine in the amount of LVL 150 (EUR 217) for organising an unapproved protest action against the education reform. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya