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.

• Study ‘Requirements of Latvias National Minorities Towards Guarantees for the Maintenance of Their Ethnic Identity conducted
• Constitutional Court: amendments to the Law on former KGB staff do not contradict the Constitution of Latvia
• Newspapers discuss Headquarters announcement to organise a protest meeting on 4 May
• Aleksandrs Kirsteins: Latvia should promote repatriation of the Soviet armys officers to their motherland
• Newspapers continue discussions about possible dismissal of the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins
• Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the lecturer of the International University of Practical Psychology Ludmila Baranova about the impact of bilingual education

Public policy portal

Public policy portal www.politika.lv publishes a study ‘Requirements of Latvias National Minorities Towards Guarantees for the Maintenance of Their Ethnic Identity conducted by the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the University of Latvia. The study provides views of Latvias minorities – Russians, Belorussians, Ukrainians, Poles, Lithuanians and Jews – about their ethno-cultural identity and requirements and pre-requisites for maintenance of their identity in relation to ratification of the Councils of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. According to the study, the majority of socially active representatives of these minorities believe that lingering with the Conventions ratification is a refusal to grant the implementation of overall international norms. Furthermore, the refusal to ratify the Convention brings about instability among non-Latvian citizens. The authors of the study also provide recommendations regarding ratification of the Convention and formation of public opinion in this area. For full text of the study (available only in Latvian) see here.

Yesterday the Constitutional Court announced the judgement in the case initiated on the basis of the application submitted by 20 MPs who challenged the amendments to the law On the Preservation, Usage of Documents of the Former State Security Committee (KGB) and Establishment of the Fact of Person’s Collaboration with KGB. The challenged amendments stipulated the extension of the time limit for the establishment of the fact of collaboration with the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia, which would mean that ex-staff of KGB would not be able to hold offices in the state security institutions, civil service and stand for elections for the next 10 years. The Court ruled that the challenged amendments fully comply with the Constitution and the Convention and that they do not restrict person’s fundamental freedoms as such.

Yesterday the Constitutional Court announced the judgement in the case initiated on the basis of the application submitted by 20 MPs who challenged the amendments to the law On the Preservation, Usage of Documents of the Former State Security Committee (KGB) and Establishment of the Fact of Persons Collaboration with KGB. The challenged amendments stipulated the extension of the time limit for the establishment of the fact of collaboration with the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia, which would mean that ex-staff of KGB would not be able to hold offices in the state security institutions, civil service and stand for elections for the next 10 years. The Court ruled that the challenged amendments fully comply with the Constitution and the Convention and that they do not restrict persons fundamental freedoms as such. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas

Latvijas Avize features a commentary by Aija Calite who sharply criticizes the initiative of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools and the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia to organise a mass meeting near the Monument of Freedom on 4 May. Aija Calite believes that the goal of this meeting is to incite hatred in Latvian national patriots, which would result in mass insurgencies. Vesti Segodnya features a full text of the Headquarters statement, calling to participate in the meeting. The authors of the statement demand immediate ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities without any reservations and that the Convention would apply to all non-Latvians residing in the territory of Latvia. The Headquarters also demand to amended the Law on the State Language and the Law on Education so that national minorities would have a possibility to choose a language of instruction at school as well as to use their languages in communication with municipal authorities and on street signs in all areas where minorities live in substantial numbers. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

After the meeting of Foreign Affairs Committee’s representatives with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins stated ‘Latvia should foster discussions with Russia on the promotion of repatriation of former Soviet army’s officers to their motherland.’

After the meeting of Foreign Affairs Committees representatives with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins stated ‘Latvia should foster discussions with Russia on the promotion of repatriation of former Soviet armys officers to their motherland. Vesti Segodnya reports that ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities was also discussed in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee with the Latvian President. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers continue discussions about the eligibility of the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins (People’s Party) to hold his post. Newspapers refer to statements of the Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks who said that the statements of Aleksandrs Kirsteins regarding national minorities disturbs ministry’s work and state’s diplomatic manoeuvres. The Head of People’s Party Parliamentary Group Janis Lagzdins stated that the future of Kirsteins in his post depends on his ability to become more diplomatic.

Newspapers continue discussions about the eligibility of the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins (Peoples Party) to hold his post. Newspapers refer to statements of the Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks who said that the statements of Aleksandrs Kirsteins regarding national minorities disturbs ministrys work and states diplomatic manoeuvres. The Head of Peoples Party Parliamentary Group Janis Lagzdins stated that the future of Kirsteins in his post depends on his ability to become more diplomatic. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the lecturer of the International University of Practical Psychology Ludmila Baranova about the impact of bilingual education on childrens development. Ludmila Baranova, referring to the studies conducted in the USA, states that if a child studies bilingually, s/he does not acquire deep knowledge of a subject. According to lecturer, it is also proved that some subjects, for example mathematics or philosophy, should not be taught bilingually.