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.

• Latvian politicians ready to heed the call of Dmitry Rogozin, the deputy chairmans of the party Rodina
• Saeima Legal Affairs Committee accepts restrictions on the right to stand as candidate for the elections to the European Parliament
• Comments on the newly formed Russian-language school teachers society
• Meeting of Ventspils Russian language schools students parents with the Head of the Department of Integration of theMinistry of Education and Science Evija Papule
• Latvia becomes a member of the International Holocaust working group
• Activist of European Youth Human Rights Network Kaspars Zalitis comments on relations between Latvian and Russian youth

The head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Inese Vaidere (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM) and the head of European Affairs Committee Guntars Krasts (FF/LNIM) have declared their readiness to respond to the call of Dmitry Rogozin, the deputy chairman of the party Rodina, to discuss relations between Russia and Latvia with politicians “legitimate to the Latvian people”. The Foreign Affairs Minister Sandra Kalniete comments that the next six months will show whether Russia is ready for constructive dialogue with Latvia.

The head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Inese Vaidere (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM) and the head of European Affairs Committee Guntars Krasts (FF/LNIM) have declared their readiness to respond to the call of Dmitry Rogozin, the deputy chairman of the party Rodina, to discuss relations between Russia and Latvia with politicians legitimate to the Latvian people. The Foreign Affairs Minister Sandra Kalniete comments that the next six months will show whether Russia is ready for constructive dialogue with Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Saeima Legal Affairs Committee has supported the proposal of parties New Era, People’s Party and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM to extend the prohibition to stand for election to candidate for ex-officials of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia and the members of Communist Party and related organizations after January 13 1991 also to elections to the European Parliament. The representative of parliamentary group For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) Juris Sokolovs claims that the restrictions are a political campaign directed against four politicians – Tatjana Zdanoka, Alfred Rubiks, Janis Adamsons and Juris Bojars.

The Saeima Legal Affairs Committee has supported the proposal of parties New Era, Peoples Party and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM to extend the prohibition to stand for election to candidate for ex-officials of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia and the members of Communist Party and related organizations after January 13 1991 also to elections to the European Parliament. The representative of parliamentary group For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) Juris Sokolovs claims that the restrictions are a political campaign directed against four politicians – Tatjana Zdanoka, Alfred Rubiks, Janis Adamsons and Juris Bojars. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Telegraf publishes an article about establishment of the Russia school teachers society. One of the founders of the organization, head master of private secondary school Maxima Olga Isakova, believes that it should be officially acknowledged that there are Russian-language schools in Latvia with long-standing traditions of Russian culture. The organization should be against wild bilingualism and any attempt to Latvianize the schools, says Ms Isakova, and expresses concern over the possible quality deterioration of education in minority schools. She regrets that many teachers try to adapt to the situation instead of trying to influence it. A teacher from another school comments that a professional Russian-language school teacher organization would have been able to influence the situation if it were established five years ago, but not when half a year is left before the implementation of the reform.

Russian-language newspapers feature articles about the meeting of Ventspils Russian language school students’ parents with the Head of the Department of Integration of the Ministry of Education and Science Evija Papule. There was also a protest action against the education reform 2004, organized by the Venspils Committee for the Defence of Russian language schools, during this meeting.

Russian-language newspapers feature articles about the meeting of Ventspils Russian language school students parents with the Head of the Department of Integration of the Ministry of Education and Science Evija Papule. There was also a protest action against the education reform 2004, organized by the Venspils Committee for the Defence of Russian language schools, during this meeting. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvia has become a member of the International Holocaust working group. Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Andris Teikmanis will represent Latvia in this group.

Latvia has become a member of the International Holocaust working group. Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Andris Teikmanis will represent Latvia in this group. Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the European Youth Human Rights Network activist Kaspars Zalitis, who believes that mistakes by Latvian politicians in the 1990s have led to the division of society and has resulted in intolerance between Russian and Latvian youth.