• Discussion about usage of the word ‘Latvian as a political and an ethnic term
• European Commission External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten informs Russia about the financial support to society integration programs in Latvia and Estonia
• Meeting of the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis and representatives of the Special Tasks Ministers for Society Integration Secretariat
• Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Chizhov calls the Council of Europe to urge Latvia to start a serious dialogue with the representatives of national minorities
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia prepares a statement about observation of minority rights in Latvia
• Latvijas Avize features statements of Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre about ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Interview with the leader of the party Equality Tatjana Zdanoka
• Latvijas Avize criticizes state officials for being inert in the area of preventing permissiveness during the protest actions against the education reform

Discussion about usage of the word ‘Latvian’ as a political and an ethnic term has developed in mass media after the interview of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga to the Russian newspaper

Discussion about usage of the word ‘Latvian as a political and an ethnic term has developed in mass media after the interview of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga to the Russian newspaper Argumenti i Fakti (Arguments and Facts). During the interview the president has stated that ‘they [i.e. Russians] must accept that this is an independent state and have to become Latvians – of Russian origin, but Latvians. If they want to be Russians, they can go to Russia. Peoples Harmony Partys chairman Janis Jurkans has sent an open letter to the president, claiming that presidents statements create a national scandal which injures half a million residents of the country who are not of Latvian origin. Experts, questioned by Diena journalist, believe that this is purely a linguistic problem, because in the Latvian language term ‘Latvian means both ethnic affiliation and political belonging, while in Russian there is a clear difference between terms ‘latish (Latvian in ethnic sense) and ‘latvijec (Latvian in political sense). According to the presidents press secretary Aiva Rozenberga, the president meant ‘Latvians as persons, who speak Latvian, are citizens of Latvia and feel belonging to the state. Vesti Segodnya features various opinions of the well known in Latvia minority representatives about the statement of the president. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

European Commission External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten has sent a letter to the Russia Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov, providing information about the financial support of the EC to society integration programs in Latvia and Estonia, allocated since 1996. According to the commissioner, during the last eight years there was approximately 13,5 millions euro allocated for society integration programs in Latvia, and the EC is planning to continue support of these programs also in the next period from 2004 – 2006.

European Commission External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten has sent a letter to the Russia Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov, providing information about the financial support of the EC to society integration programs in Latvia and Estonia, allocated since 1996. According to the commissioner, during the last eight years there was approximately 13,5 millions euro allocated for society integration programs in Latvia, and the EC is planning to continue support of these programs also in the next period from 2004 – 2006. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize writes about the meeting of the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis and representatives of the Special Tasks Ministers for Society Integration Secretariat in order to discuss society integration issues.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Chizhov has spread a statement, calling the Council of Europe in collaboration with the OSCE, Council of the Baltic Sea States and UN Human Rights Committee to urge Latvia to start a serious dialogue with the representatives of national minorities about issues concerning their basic rights, and to participate in solving any existing problems.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Chizhov has spread a statement, calling the Council of Europe in collaboration with the OSCE, Council of the Baltic Sea States and UN Human Rights Committee to urge Latvia to start a serious dialogue with the representatives of national minorities about issues concerning their basic rights, and to participate in solving any existing problems. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia is preparing a statement about observation of minority rights in Latvia. According to the Foreign Affairs Minister Rihards Piks, this statement will help Latvian diplomats to explain the situation in the area of minority rights to the international society, in order to respond to the regular aspirations of Russia to draw attention to this issue.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia is preparing a statement about observation of minority rights in Latvia. According to the Foreign Affairs Minister Rihards Piks, this statement will help Latvian diplomats to explain the situation in the area of minority rights to the international society, in order to respond to the regular aspirations of Russia to draw attention to this issue. Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize clarifies considerations which made the Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre to abstain from voting on the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, while other members of her faction voted against it. Ingrida Udre regards a vote against ratification as equivalent to abstaining. According to the Saeima speaker, the convention will be ratified anyway because the Saeima Subcommittee on Social Integration is discussing a question about ratification of the convention with several reservations.

Chas features an interview with the leader of the party Equality Tatjana Zdanoka about the extention of the EU directives to the non-citizens of Latvia and about requirements of the EU to Latvia in the area of minority rights.

Latvijas Avize features a commentary by the editor-in-chief Voldemars Krustins, who blames state officials on their inertness as they, according to the author, do almost nothing in order to prevent permissiveness during the protest actions against the education reform.

• State Education inspection: only one minority school out of 1016 is not ready for the education reform
• Conference on the past and future of society integration in Latvia
• Peoples Harmony Party is planning to decide about the future support to the government
• About the draft law on elimination of racial discrimination
• Approximately 20 persons participate in the unapproved protest meeting in Riga
• Planned protest actions against the education reform
• Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools register 22000 persons ready to defend interests of the Russian community in Latvia
• Police and Riga City Councils Security and Order Committees meet to discuss possibility of ethnic conflicts between young people
• Saeima rejects PHP demand for resignation of the chairman of the National Broadcasting Council of Latvia Imants Rakins

According to the State Education inspection, only one minority school out of 1016 is not ready for the education reform, and only 11 teachers are not prepared to teach their subjects in Latvian. 10% of minority schools’ teachers will be ready to teach in Latvian, while continuing to improve their skills.

According to the State Education inspection, only one minority school out of 1016 is not ready for the education reform, and only 11 teachers are not prepared to teach their subjects in Latvian. 10% of minority schools teachers will be ready to teach in Latvian, while continuing to improve their skills. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Newspapers write about the conference organized by the Special Tasks Minister’s for Society Integration Secretariat and dedicated to the analysis of the society integration policy of the past years, as well as to setting priorities for the future. According to the Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks, special attention may be paid in the future to the integration of children and young people, promoting their civic participation and knowledge of the state language; as well as to the integration of the new immigrants. Some of the conference participants expressed an opinion that Latvia needs a Law on Society Integration.

Newspapers write about the conference organized by the Special Tasks Ministers for Society Integration Secretariat and dedicated to the analysis of the society integration policy of the past years, as well as to setting priorities for the future. According to the Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks, special attention may be paid in the future to the integration of children and young people, promoting their civic participation and knowledge of the state language; as well as to the integration of the new immigrants. Some of the conference participants expressed an opinion that Latvia needs a Law on Society Integration. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

People’s Harmony Party (PHP), informing about its plans to decide on the future support to the government next Monday, has indicated that the government will loose the PHP support if tension in the area of education reform is not diminished. Head of the Saeima PHP parliamentary group Janis Urbanovics denies rumors about demanded moratorium on the education reform, stressing that PHP is willing to find a compromise solution which would be acceptable also to the government.

Peoples Harmony Party (PHP), informing about its plans to decide on the future support to the government next Monday, has indicated that the government will loose the PHP support if tension in the area of education reform is not diminished. Head of the Saeima PHP parliamentary group Janis Urbanovics denies rumors about demanded moratorium on the education reform, stressing that PHP is willing to find a compromise solution which would be acceptable also to the government. Diena

Following the proposal of the head of Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee Ina Druviete, Saeima yesterday has withdrawn review of the draft law on elimination of racial discrimination from the agenda. According to

Following the proposal of the head of Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee Ina Druviete, Saeima yesterday has withdrawn review of the draft law on elimination of racial discrimination from the agenda. According to Latvijas Vestnesis, MPs have decided that as the 1 May deadline was already missed, the stamp ‘urgent could be removed from the draft law with the view to thoroughly discussing it before adoption. Vesty Segodnya writes that the draft law was removed from the agenda because too many harsh sanctions against human rights violators were foreseen by it. Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation will not be included in the draft law, states Ina Druviete, as Saeima has voted out this criteria as inapplicable to Latvia. The draft law could be adopted until the end of the spring session of Saeima. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Vetnesis

Yesterday approximately 20 persons participated in the unapproved protest meeting against the education reform near the Riga City Hall.

Yesterday approximately 20 persons participated in the unapproved protest meeting against the education reform near the Riga City Hall. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Contrary to the statement of the leader of Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis, there are no protest actions against the education reform planned in Ventspils on 15 and 18 May. According to the representative of the city’s Russian-speaking students parents’ committee Marina Djakova, on 18 May a conference devoted to the issues of the education reform is planned. Marina Djakova says that parents are inclined towards the dialogue with government and municipality representatives before expressing their attitude towards the reform.

Contrary to the statement of the leader of Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis, there are no protest actions against the education reform planned in Ventspils on 15 and 18 May. According to the representative of the citys Russian-speaking students parents committee Marina Djakova, on 18 May a conference devoted to the issues of the education reform is planned. Marina Djakova says that parents are inclined towards the dialogue with government and municipality representatives before expressing their attitude towards the reform. Latvijas Avize writes about the planned protest action against the education reform in Liepaja on 15 May. Diena, Latvijas Avize

Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools have registered 22 000 persons, who are ready to actively defend interests of the Russian community, and to participate in preparations to the United Congress of the Russian community in Latvia.

Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools have registered 22000 persons, who are ready to actively defend interests of the Russian community, and to participate in preparations to the United Congress of the Russian community in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

During the meeting of the Riga City Council’s Security and Order Committee police representatives have stated that they have no information about ethnic conflicts among young people. At the same time, according to the head of the Committee Andrejs Vilks, committee has received an application about a conflict based on ethnic grounds near Ziepniekkalns primary school in Riga.

During the meeting of the Riga City Councils Security and Order Committee police representatives have stated that they have no information about ethnic conflicts among young people. At the same time, according to the head of the Committee Andrejs Vilks, committee has received an application about a conflict based on ethnic grounds near Ziepniekkalns primary school in Riga. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize

Saeima has rejected demand of People’s Harmony Party for resignation of the chairman of the National Broadcasting Council of Latvia Imants Rakins due to his statement to the national extremist newspaper DDD that Latvia’s decolonization is a “just thing”. Saeima MPs allegedly believe that there is nothing condemnable in the statement of Imants Rakins.

Saeima has rejected demand of Peoples Harmony Party for resignation of the chairman of the National Broadcasting Council of Latvia Imants Rakins due to his statement to the national extremist newspaper DDD that Latvias decolonization is a just thing. Saeima MPs allegedly believe that there is nothing condemnable in the statement of Imants Rakins. Chas

• Board of Peoples Harmony Party will make decision about future support to the government
• Seminar about the perspectives of society integration policy in Latvia
• About possible punishment of Saeima MPs organizing unapproved protest actions
• Deputy of the European Parliament from Peoples Party Aleksandrs Kirsteins believes that the Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks should resign
• Interview with President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga about society integration in Latvia
• About meeting of the Ministry of Education and Science Advisory Council on Minority Education
• Experts statements about the necessary activities of the police in order to prevent disorder during protest actions against the education reform

Council of People’s Harmony Party (PHP) is planning to make a decision about the future support of the party to the government of Indulis Emsis. According to the head of the Saeima PHP parliamentary group Janis Urbanovics, there are persons in the party not satisfied with the support of the government, as it allegedly is not solving the education reform issue. PHP could also request the establishment of a moratorium on education reform until 2007.

Council of Peoples Harmony Party (PHP) is planning to make a decision about the future support of the party to the government of Indulis Emsis. According to the head of the Saeima PHP parliamentary group Janis Urbanovics, there are persons in the party not satisfied with the support of the government, as it allegedly is not solving the education reform issue. PHP could also request the establishment of a moratorium on education reform until 2007. Diena, Telegraf

Today the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Society Integration Affairs organizes a seminar to discuss the perspectives of society integration policy in Latvia.

Today the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Society Integration Affairs organizes a seminar to discuss the perspectives of society integration policy in Latvia. Diena publishes a vision of the Special Task Minister for Society Integration Secretariat Nils Muiznieks on society integration issues after 10 years. Diena

Saeima will soon make a decision about lifting the immunity from prosecution for three Saeima MPs, who have been involved in organizing protest actions, so that they can be punished according to administrative procedure. Saeima Mandate and Submissions Committee has received a request by the police to approve the punishment of Saeima MP Jakovs Pliners who, according to police protocols, has organized and led unapproved picket and procession against the education reform.

Saeima will soon make a decision about lifting the immunity from prosecution for three Saeima MPs, who have been involved in organizing protest actions, so that they can be punished according to administrative procedure. Saeima Mandate and Submissions Committee has received a request by the police to approve the punishment of Saeima MP Jakovs Pliners who, according to police protocols, has organized and led unapproved picket and procession against the education reform. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize features a critical article by the deputy of the European Parliament from Peoples Party Aleksandrs Kirsteins on expressions of Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks and claims that Nils Muiznieks must resign. Aleksandrs Kirsteins is dissatisfied with the ministers criticism of the expressions of the National Broadcasting Councils chairman Imants Rakins about decolonization as just. Aleksandrs Kirsteins believes that the main task of the minister of integration is to clarify the number of persons, who want to repatriate themselves to their ethnic homeland to provide an opportunity for the government to prepare international agreements with neighboring countries about the establishment of a repatriation foundation and the attraction of international financing for it. Regarding the protest actions against the education reform, Aleksandrs Kirsteins concludes that ‘apparently it is necessary to announce a moratorium on naturalization in order to draw up and implement changes in the naturalization procedure. According to the deputy, emphasis should not be put on the number of persons who naturalize, but on naturalizing only those who are integrated in Latvian culture. Nils Muiznieks lack of understanding of these issues means that he should resign, claims the deputy.

Vesti Segonya reprints an interview with President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, published in the Russian newspaper Argumenti i Fakti (Arguments and Facts) about social integration and education reform in Latvia.

Russian-language newspapers print articles about the meeting of the Ministry of Education and Science Advisory Council on Issues of Minority Education. During  the meeting the Minister of Education and Science informed about the discussion inside the ministry on possibilities to finance activities such as an additional increase of Latvian language lessons in minority schools for grade 10, dividing of classes in two parts during the lessons of Latvian language, publishing of methodological literature and the establishment of bilingual education centre. Former head of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools Igors Pimenovs has asked all members of the Council to support their initiative to discuss the issue of the establishment of moratorium on education reform during the next meeting of the Advisory Council.

Russian-language newspapers print articles about the meeting of the Ministry of Education and Science Advisory Council on Issues of Minority Education. During the meeting the Minister of Education and Science informed about the discussion inside the ministry on possibilities to finance activities such as an additional increase of Latvian language lessons in minority schools for grade 10, dividing of classes in two parts during the lessons of Latvian language, publishing of methodological literature and the establishment of bilingual education centre. Former head of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools Igors Pimenovs has asked all members of the Council to support their initiative to discuss the issue of the establishment of moratorium on education reform during the next meeting of the Advisory Council. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Neatkariga Rita Avize features statements of experts and state officials about necessary activities by police in order to prevent the disorder during protest actions against the education reform. Police General Aloizs Visvaldis Blonskis points to the fact that the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools has deliberately or unconsciously lost control over the masses of Russian students, who are becoming incresingly aggressive. Blonskis believes that large-scale disorder can result form the slightest spark. Assistant of the chairman of the State Security Police Kristine Apse-Krumina stated that the police has clarified who is behind these protest actions and says that they are not always the same that are in the public eye. Chas, Telegraf

People’s Harmony Party is planning to demand the resignation of the chairman of the National Broadcasting Council of Latvia Imants Rakins due to his expressions to the national extremist newspaper DDD, stating that Latvia’s decolonization ‘is a just thing”. Imants Rakins stresses that he answered the question of the journalist from a historic viewpoint, as he is historian, and says that his statements are only theoretical.

Peoples Harmony Party is planning to demand the resignation of the chairman of the National Broadcasting Council of Latvia Imants Rakins due to his expressions to the national extremist newspaper DDD, stating that Latvias decolonization ‘is a just thing. Imants Rakins stresses that he answered the question of the journalist from a historic viewpoint, as he is historian, and says that his statements are only theoretical. Chas, Telegraf

• Saeima Committees discuss the protest actions against the education reform
• Interview with Prime Minister Indulis Emsis
• Saeima Legal Affairs Committee prepares new amendments to the law On the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State
• Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee postpones discussion about draft law on elimination of racial discrimination
• Daugavpils mayor Rita Strode worries about the activities of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools in Daugavpils
• Discussion on minorities problems
• Yesterday 674 non-citizens were naturalized

Protest actions against education reform have very little in common with the minorities’ education reform, but students are only an instrument for the gaining of political capital before elections, stated the chairman of the State Security Police Janis Reiniks during the Saeima Defense and Internal Affairs Committee and National Security Committee meeting. MPs have decided to call the state security institutions to clarify the actual organizers of the protest actions in order to call them to justice. A  request is planned for Saeima approval to remove immunity, so that three Saeima MPs form For Human Rights in the United Latvia – Jakovs Pliners, Andris Tolmacovs and Vladimirs Buzajevs – involved in organizing the protest ations can be punished adminstratively. Saeima commissions will also evaluate the proposal of the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics to amend the law to include responsibility for intetional involvement in administrative infringement measures.

Protest actions against education reform have very little in common with the minorities education reform, but students are only an instrument for the gaining of political capital before elections, stated the chairman of the State Security Police Janis Reiniks during the Saeima Defense and Internal Affairs Committee and National Security Committee meeting. MPs have decided to call the state security institutions to clarify the actual organizers of the protest actions in order to call them to justice. A request is planned for Saeima approval to remove immunity, so that three Saeima MPs form For Human Rights in the United Latvia – Jakovs Pliners, Andris Tolmacovs and Vladimirs Buzajevs – involved in organizing the protest ations can be punished adminstratively. Saeima commissions will also evaluate the proposal of the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics to amend the law to include responsibility for intetional involvement in administrative infringement measures. Latvijas Avize features an interview with Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics about these issues. Chas features a chronic of the education reform. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Latvijas Vestnesis prints an interview with Prime Minister Indulis Emsis about possible solutions to education reform problems. The Prime Minister stresses that any solutions must fall within the framework of the existent Law on Education. Indulis Emsis states that it is necessary to recognize that there is one part of students having poor knowledge not only of Latvian, but also of exact or other subjects, which the school has chosen to teach in Latvian. The Prime Minister considers the establishment of additional classes for students, who have problems in particular subjects. According to Indulis Emsis, the government can also help with methodological materials for those schools which are not ready for education reform. The Prime Minister believes that one in six (out of 108) minority secondary schools are not ready for implementation of the education reform.

The Saeima Legal Affairs Committee has prepared new amendments to the law On the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State.  The proposed amendments stipulate that persons who have received a residence permit in another country after 1 May 2004 can be deprived of their non-citizen status in Latvia.

The Saeima Legal Affairs Committee has prepared new amendments to the law On the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State. The proposed amendments stipulate that persons who have received a residence permit in another country after 1 May 2004 can be deprived of their non-citizen status in Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Chas

Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee postponed the discussion on the draft law on the elimination of discrimination.

Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee postponed the discussion on the draft law on the elimination of discrimination. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya features an article about the meeting of the representatives of the Saeima Subcommittee on Social Integration and Mayor of Daugavpils Rita Strode. Rita Strode has expressed disquiet about the activities of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools in Daugavpils, stating that before their activities there were not particular problems in the area of education reform in Daugavpils. According to mayor, most participants in the protest actions organized by the Headquarters in Daugavpils, were activists from Riga.

Latvijas Avize writes about discussion on minorities problems with participation of the party Equality leader Tatjana Zdanok, Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks and the representative of Social Democratic Union Peteris Salkazanovs, organized by the social organization Cita Politika (Different policy). The member of the board of Cita Politika Maris Graudins stated that the true cause of the education reform problems is the neglect of the Latvian government of youth socialization. Its necessary to recognize that we have 493,000 non-citizens and that it would be fair to grant citizenship for all who were born in the territory of the Republic of Latvia, stressed Maris Graudins. Nils Muiznieks stated that the education is essential for the interruption of the reproduction of the Soviet system, which created a divided society on the basis of language knowledge.

Yesterday 674 non-citizens were naturalized. These new citizens are Russians, Belorussians, Ukrainians, Lithuanians and Poles.

Yesterday 674 non-citizens were naturalized. These new citizens are Russians, Belorussians, Ukrainians, Lithuanians and Poles. Rigas Balss

• Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Chairperson Artis Pabriks explains the reasons for rejection to ratify Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Today state security institution inform Saeima MPs about protest actions against the education reform
• Interview with journalist and writer Marina Kostenecka about the latest protest action against the education reform and incitement to hatred
• Political scientist Viktors Makarovs on futility of language ratios in education reform
• Article of the Riga City Councils deputy of Olegs Sipcovs about education reform and its real goals
• Friendship event for students of several ethnic backgrounds from five Latvian and minority schools

Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Artis Pabriks has sent an official letter to all embassies of the EU member states in Latvia, explaining the decision of the Saeima to reject the opposition party proposal to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The parlaimentarian believes that premature ratification of the convention would split rather than unite society.

Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Artis Pabriks has sent an official letter to all embassies of the EU member states in Latvia, explaining the decision of the Saeima to reject the opposition party proposal to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The parlaimentarian believes that premature ratification of the convention would split rather than unite society. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Today Saeima Defense and Internal Affairs Committee and National Security Committee is planning to hear the security institutions’ information about the protest actions against the education reform and to make a decision about the maintenance of order during any future protest actions.

Today Saeima Defense and Internal Affairs Committee and National Security Committee is planning to hear the security institutions information about the protest actions against the education reform and to make a decision about the maintenance of order during any future protest actions. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the well-known journalist and writer Marina Kostenecka about the latest protest action against the education reform on 1 May. The writer believes that during this protest action there were attempts to incite hatred. As an example the interviewee points to the terminology used by Equality leader Tatjana Zdanok when speaking to the students, saying that she sees a battalion before her. Marina Kostenecka also points to the violence against a Latvian youth on the street as confirmation of hatred in everyday life aroused by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools.

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with political scientist Viktors Makarovs about the education reform in Latvia. Viktors Makarovs believes that ‘the ratio of languages included in law is fiction because minority schools are not ready to teach specific subjects in Latvian and hence the implementation of law in real life is impossible.

Vesti Segodnya prints an article by the deputy of Riga City Council Olegs Sipcovs on education reform. The deputy regards the education reform as gradual and purposeful elimination of the existing education system in the language of the largest national minority in Latvia, i.e. Russians. He mentions the interrupted training of necessary staff, the lack of a department of Russian-language schools in the Ministry of Education and Science, the removal of higher state education in the Russian and the application of bilingual education only to minority schools as examples supporting his statement.

Latvijas Avize writes about the friendship event for students of several nationalities from five Latvian and minority schools, organized by the Adazi free Waldorf School. During the event students painted, participated at sport activities and made music. The main objective of the event, financed by the Society Integration Foundation, was to promote the collaboration between children of various ethnic backgrounds.