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.

• Latvijas Avize prints an article about Roma in Latvia
• 70 % of Latvian residents do not support ban of the First Baltic Channel
• Governing coalition conceptually supported proposal of the nationalists’ union to suspend the issuing of residence permits to third country nationals
• Anthropological research “What is happening in Russian schools” is to be conducted
• Another protest action of language reform in minority schools will be held on 10 April

Latvijas Avize prints an article about Roma in Latvia. Several events will be held in Latvia today on the International Roma Day such with an aim to attract attention on Roma genocide during WWII and long-term discrimination and possible ways to stop it. Social scientist Deniss Kretalovs says that the main problem of Roma is lack of education and comprehension of why education is important. Only 0,8% of Roma have higher education, 3% have professional secondary education and about 10% secondary education. Other Roma have either primary education or less than four classes or they do not even indicate the level of education. No other ethnic minority group in Latvia demonstrates such low level of education, says D. Kretalovs.  The newspaper also notes that according to Central Statistic Bureau, about 3,6% of Roma are illiterate. Many of Roma illiterates are ashamed to acknowledge this fact. Currently, an NGO “ADRA Latvia” conducts in Sabile (town in the western part of Latvia which also has a high number of Roma residents) courses for Roma teaching them how to read and write. There are also discussions about whether special Roma classes are permissible or not and how to stimulate Roma children to continue their education.

According to a public opinion survey conducted by SKDS, 70 % of Latvian residents do not support ban on broadcasting of the First Baltic Channel (mainly retranslates programs of the Russia’s 1st Channel) in Latvia. Ban of the channel does not support 90% of Russian speakers and 57% of ethnic Latvians. 14% of respondents support such ban. As reported, the National Council on Electronic Mass Media already banned retranslation of a TV channel “Rossija – RTR Planeta” for three months in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, the governing coalition conceptually agreed to support proposal of the nationalists’ union All for Latvia/FF-LNIM to grant the government the right to suspend for a time issuing of residence permits to third country nationals. According to the Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma, the proposal most likely will relate to specific group of persons for non-EU countries without mentioning any specific country. Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga

An association “Ascendum” granted funding in amount of EUR 2,585 for anthropological research “What is happening in Russian schools.” The aim of the research is to find students’ thoughts about their schools and future perspectives in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

The Headquarters for Defence of Russian Language Schools is organising one more protest action for preservation of education in Russian language in Latvia. The action will be held on 10 April in Riga. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize