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

• State officials seek compromise in the area of education reform
• 5,000 – 6,000 minority students expected at protest rally
• Five police officials reprimanded for gathering information on minority students
• Education State Inspection recommendations to minority schools
• State officials opinions about Russias recommendations on naturalization and language use in Latvia
• Interview with Duma Deputy Speaker Dmitry Rogozin

Yesterday, following an initiative by Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre, a discussion took place on the amendments to the Law on Education in which the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis, Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools (LASHOR) Igor Pimenov, MPs of Saeima opposition party People’s Harmony Party and head of the Saeima Education, Culture and Science Committee Janis Strazdins participated.  According to the Saeima Speaker, the Minister of Education and Science has been requested to prepare a new, compromise version of the amendments to the Law on Education, which should be discussed at a similar meeting today.

Yesterday, following an initiative by Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre, a discussion took place on the amendments to the Law on Education in which the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis, Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools (LASHOR) Igor Pimenov, MPs of Saeima opposition party Peoples Harmony Party and head of the Saeima Education, Culture and Science Committee Janis Strazdins participated. According to the Saeima Speaker, the Minister of Education and Science has been requested to prepare a new, compromise version of the amendments to the Law on Education, which should be discussed at a similar meeting today. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

TheHeadquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools inform that they expect some5,000 – 6,000 minority students from 35 schools of Riga and Ventspils to participate at a protest action against the education reform tomorrow, when the Saeima is planning to adopt the amendments to the Law on Education in third reading. There are 158 minority schools in Latvia. Russian language newspapers feature the statement of the Council of Nongovernmental Organizations’ Coordination, supporting the activities of the Headquarters

TheHeadquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools inform that they expect some5,000 – 6,000 minority students from 35 schools of Riga and Ventspils to participate at a protest action against the education reform tomorrow, when the Saeima is planning to adopt the amendments to the Law on Education in third reading. There are 158 minority schools in Latvia. Russian language newspapers feature the statement of the Council of Nongovernmental Organizations Coordination, supporting the activities of the Headquarters. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Telegraf, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

State Police has reprimanded five police officials involved in the information gathering about the minority students participating at protest actions against the education reform 2004. The head of State Police have also offered an apology to the directors of minority schools.

State Police has reprimanded five police officials involved in the information gathering about the minority students participating at protest actions against the education reform 2004. The head of State Police have also offered an apology to the directors of minority schools. Diena, Telegraf, Chas

The Ministry of Education Education State Inspection has suggested to minority schools to encourage their students not to participate in protest actions against the 2004 education reform and to ask students to make up for unattended classes. According to the deputy head of the Education State Inspection Valda Puise, the institution is not preparing to inspect the attendance.

The Ministry of Education Education State Inspection has suggested to minority schools to encourage their students not to participate in protest actions against the 2004 education reform and to ask students to make up for unattended classes. According to the deputy head of the Education State Inspection Valda Puise, the institution is not preparing to inspect the attendance. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize features state officials opinions about the set of recommendations on naturalization and language use in Latvia, issued by Russia to the European Commission. State secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins believes that attempt of Russia to link the issue of minority rights observation in Latvia to the extension of the partnership agreement between Russia and EU to the new member states of EU is unfounded and must be refused. Saeima MP Anta Rugate (Peoples Party) evaluates these recommendations as intervention in Latvias internal affairs. Saeima MP Ina Druviete (New Era) states that Russia thus is objecting to the EU experts basic statements and so questions the very competence of the EU.

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with Russias State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin (block „Rodina) about the observation of minority rights in Latvia.