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.

• Conference Law on National Minority Education: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow?
• Nedela features an interview with the Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone
• Tatyana Zdanok speaks about the rights of ethnic minorities in Latvia at the congress of the European Free Alliance
• Craft exhibition of ethnic minorities living in Vidzeme

On Saturday, the political party “The Concord Centre” in cooperation with several Russian NGO’s held a conference “Law on National Minority Education: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow?”  Participants discussed three main themes: legal norms concerning minority education in independent Latvia in 1918-1939; international experience; and potential of the draft project on minority schools. Academician Elena Vediseva stated that the effective law on education elaborated in 1919 do not meet the needs of the present situation in Latvia. The member of LASHOR (the Latvian Association for Support of Schools with Russian-language)  Igors Pimenovs stated that there is a new elaborated draft project on minority schools, which could soften the effective law. However, the representative of OKROL (The United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia) stated that “the new draft project is senseless because the present government will not it accept it anyway… That is why we need to pay more attention to democratisation of effective norms.”

On Saturday, the political party The Concord Centre in cooperation with several Russian NGOs held a conference Law on National Minority Education: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow? Participants discussed three main themes: legal norms concerning minority education in independent Latvia in 1918-1939; international experience; and potential of the draft project on minority schools. Academician Elena Vediseva stated that the effective law on education elaborated in 1919 do not meet the needs of the present situation in Latvia. The member of LASHOR (the Latvian Association for Support of Schools with Russian-language) Igors Pimenovs stated that there is a new elaborated draft project on minority schools, which could soften the effective law. However, the representative of OKROL (The United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia) stated that the new draft project is senseless because the present government will not it accept it anyway… That is why we need to pay more attention to democratisation of effective norms. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize.

The weekly magazine

The weekly magazine Nedela features an interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone. Karina Petersone argued that main issue regarding integration is the low level of social integration rather than ethnic: politicians manipulate with ethnic integration issues all the time, however, the biggest problems people face in social sphere.

In the congress of the European Free Alliance held in Brussels member of the European Parliament from Latvia Tatyana Zdanok (FHRUL) stated that ethnic minorities in the Latvian parliament are not proportionately presented in the Latvian parliament as compared to their total number in the country. Tatyana Zdanok noted that “450.000 of Latvia’s residents still are non-citizens, they have no voting rights and they are not able to participate in state affairs.” Tatyana Zdanok also critized other MEPs for not supporting her in solving the issue.

In the congress of the European Free Alliance held in Brussels member of the European Parliament from Latvia Tatyana Zdanok (FHRUL) stated that ethnic minorities in the Latvian parliament are not proportionately presented in the Latvian parliament as compared to their total number in the country. Tatyana Zdanok noted that 450.000 of Latvias residents still are non-citizens, they have no voting rights and they are not able to participate in state affairs. Tatyana Zdanok also critized other MEPs for not supporting her in solving the issue. Chas

On Saturday, the Vidzeme Development Agency in the framework of a project “Cultural Initiative for the Integration of Society in Vidzeme,” held a craft exhibition of ethnic minorities living in Vidzeme.

On Saturday, the Vidzeme Development Agency in the framework of a project Cultural Initiative for the Integration of Society in Vidzeme, held a craft exhibition of ethnic minorities living in Vidzeme. Latvijas Avize