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

• Former Special Task Minister for Society Integration argues that the political principles of the Latvian First Party remain unchanged
• Presidents letter to Saeima commission on education
• Expert round-table in parliament deplores inadequate information
• Left-leaning public organization Different Policy has been established
• Interview with columnist Viktors Avotins on education reform
• Politicians call on students in Liepaja on to picket regarding the Law on Education

Diena publishes the article by the former Special Task Minister on Society Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks claiming that the political principles of the Latvian First Party remain unchanged after it has been joined by five deputies from the Peoples Harmony Party. Although admitting that the enlargement of the parliamentary fraction has both pluses and minuses, he believes that both the party and society will gain from this development. Muiznieks claims that only when parties will not follow ethnic lines but when it is possible for a party to attract Russian and other minority voters without losing Latvian ones will society be politically integrated.

The Saeima Commission of Education, Science and Culture yesterday discussed the reviewed a letter of the  President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, in which she criticizes some points of the education law, including the possibility for Latvian-language private schools to receive state funding but not those with Russian as the language of instruction.  Although the president’s letter did not question the issues of the 60-40 ratio of language in secondary schools, the main discussion in the commission focused on it.

The Saeima Commission of Education, Science and Culture yesterday discussed the reviewed a letter of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, in which she criticizes some points of the education law, including the possibility for Latvian-language private schools to receive state funding but not those with Russian as the language of instruction. Although the presidents letter did not question the issues of the 60-40 ratio of language in secondary schools, the main discussion in the commission focused on it. Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga, Chas

About 30 experts from educational institutions and other relevant organizations participated in the  round table in the Saeima organized by Latvia’s First Party member and former Minister of Social Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks.  Several experts expressed their concern about the lack of timely and effective information on the reform and discussed ways to deal with the present conflict situation. Although the round table gave no concrete solutions, a hope for new changes with the new government was expressed by the former minister.

About 30 experts from educational institutions and other relevant organizations participated in the round table in the Saeima organized by Latvias First Party member and former Minister of Social Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks. Several experts expressed their concern about the lack of timely and effective information on the reform and discussed ways to deal with the present conflict situation. Although the round table gave no concrete solutions, a hope for new changes with the new government was expressed by the former minister. Diena, Telegraf

Diena informs that the Vice Mayor of Riga Sergejs Dolgopolovs has established a new public organization Different policy, which involves representatives of a leftist policy. The organization has declared its goals – to establish a dialogue on integration, educational reform, unification of Latvian and Russian informative fields and other issues, and thu sto offer an alternative solution to existing policy. Dolgopolovs admits the possibility of forming a new party in the future on the basis of this organization.

Chas publishes an interview with Neatkariga Rita Avize columnist Viktors Avotins on the minority education reform, in which he claims that the children are now doing the work that the adults have failed to do. He warns that clam will not return until the representatives of power will start to respect the opinion of society.

Left-wing politicians call on students from schools in Liepaja to publicly discuss the Law of Education. The organizer of the action the deputy of Saeima Valerijs Ageshins has distributed an appeal in the schools to gather on Friday morning during time of scheduled classes.

Left-wing politicians call on students from schools in Liepaja to publicly discuss the Law of Education. The organizer of the action the deputy of Saeima Valerijs Ageshins has distributed an appeal in the schools to gather on Friday morning during time of scheduled classes. Latvijas Avize, Diena