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.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Abolition of prohibition to stand for European Parliament elections for ex-officials of the State Security Committee of the SovietRepublic of Latvia less unlikely after parliamentary discussions
• Interview with Special Task Minister for Society Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks on education reform
• Comments on the proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science to grant civil servants status to school directors
• Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools agreed call to participate in a demonstration against the education reform
• Planned meeting of the Latvian Ambassador to the European Union Andris Kesteris and the European Parliament deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schrodter
• Criticism of extreme expressions bythe Head of the National Broadcasting Council of Latvia Imants Rakins
• US researchers view about reasons for low risk of armed revolt by Russian-speaking people in Latvia

The Saeima may decide to repeal a prohibition to stand for the European Parliament elections for ex-officials of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia and those individuals who were members of the Communist Party and related organizations after January 13, 1991. The parliamentary groups of Latvia’s First Party and For Human Rights in the United Latvia have expressed their support for this abolition. According to the Head of the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee Solvita Aboltina (New Era), some representatives of that party may also favour this decision, thus making abolition more likely. 

The Saeima may decide to repeal a prohibition to stand for the European Parliament elections for ex-officials of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia and those individuals who were members of the Communist Party and related organizations after January 13, 1991. The parliamentary groups of Latvias First Party and For Human Rights in the United Latvia have expressed their support for this abolition. According to the Head of the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee Solvita Aboltina (New Era), some representatives of that party may also favour this decision, thus making abolition more likely. Diena, Rigas Balss, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Diena features Saeima MPs and experts statements on the proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science to grant civil servants status to schools directors from September 1, 2004. The Minister Karlis Sadurskis claims that this proposal has nothing to do with citizenship, although only citizens may be civil servants and instead simply aims to improve the quality of education. The Head of Latvias First Party parliamentary group Oskars Kastens believes that this proposal is not the best instrument for the improvement of the schools directors performance. The Head of the Saeima parliamentary group of the Union of Greens and Farmers Augusts Brigmanis has expressed incomprehension about the number of reforms announced lately by the Minister of Education and Science. Public Policy Centre PROVIDUS researcherIndra Dedze believes that the hasty proposal indicates the Ministers desire to soon realize a couple of reforms in which he is not expecting sufficient support from the schools. Diena

Latvijas Avize features an interview withSpecial Task Minister for Society Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks about the 2004 minority education reform. Nils Muiznieks states that in his view there are three groups of education reform opponents in Latvia: those who are principled opponents to the reform and who will remain in opposition no matter what policies are suggested by the government; parents who are troubled about the fall of the quality of instruction at the Russian-language schools; and parents who are not informed about the real aims of the reform.

Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools has heeded the call of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools asking Russian-speaking people to participate at the picket against the education reform near the Saeima building on January 22, 2004.

Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools has heeded the call of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools asking Russian-speaking people to participate at the picket against the education reform near the Saeima building on January 22, 2004. Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf, Chas

The Ambassador of Latvia to the European Union Andris Kesteris is planning to meet the European Parliament deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schrodter to discuss the draft report about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union.

The Ambassador of Latvia to the European Union Andris Kesteris is planning to meet the European Parliament deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schrodter to discuss the draft report about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union. Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya criticizes the statements made by the Head of National Broadcasting Council of Latvia Imants Rakins to the national-extremist newspaper DDD. Newspaper stresses that Imants Rakins expressed view that Latvias decolonisation process is just is unacceptable for a state official.

Researchers of University of Maryland believe that the risk of Russian-speaking people organising an armed revolt in Latvia today is insignificant and continues to decrease. They motivate this statement with the improvement of the political and economic situation, the lack of unity among Russian-speaking people and the strategy of the leaders of Russian political parties to choose the mechanism of political discussions.

Researchers of University of Maryland believe that the risk of Russian-speaking people organising an armed revolt in Latvia today is insignificant and continues to decrease. They motivate this statement with the improvement of the political and economic situation, the lack of unity among Russian-speaking people and the strategy of the leaders of Russian political parties to choose the mechanism of political discussions. Vechernaya Riga