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

• Congress of the Defenders of Russian language schools voices new requirements
• Interview with the Foreign Affairs Minister Sandra Kalniete
• Protest action against the education reform of Latvia near the Consulate-General of Latvia in St. Petersburg
• Interview with the MP of RussiaState Council Konstantin Zatulin
• Information campaign about the education reform planned in Riga
• Round-table discussion in Moscow on possible economic sanctions against Latvia
• Interview with the deputy chairman of the Committee on Information Policy Affairs of the Russian State Council Pavel Pozhigailo
• Thoughts on future role of the Russian language in Latvia

The Congress of the Defenders of Russian language schools has come up with new minority rights requirements. One of four statements, adopted by the Congress, establishes as the main requirements the renewal of state funding for Russian language education of all levels, granting implementation of the “zero” (i.e. automatic for all) alternative of citizenship and the recognition of Russian language as the second state language in Latvia. The activists state that there are two communities in Latvia, pointing to the ignoring of this fact

The Congress of the Defenders of Russian language schools has come up with new minority rights requirements. One of four statements, adopted by the Congress, establishes as the main requirements the renewal of state funding for Russian language education of all levels, granting implementation of the zero (i.e. automatic for all) alternative of citizenship and the recognition of Russian language as the second state language in Latvia. The activists state that there are two communities in Latvia, pointing to the ignoring of this fact de jure. During the congress there an appeal to the international organizations was adopted, calling for attention to the violation of human rights in Latvia. A decision to continue the organization of mass protest actions against the education reform was also made. According to the information of the organizers, 987 persons participated at the congress as delegates, but approximately 500persons as visitors of the congress. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Rigas Balss, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete, who stresses that Latvia will not give in to any pressure to recognize Russian as a second state language or issues of citizenship. According to the minister, Latvia will consistently implement the society integration policy in order to preclude a two-community society in Latvia.

Approximately 30 – 40 persons participated in a protest action against the education reform of Latvia near the Consulate-General of Latvia in St. Petersburg.  The action was organized by the Russian youth organization Iduscije Vmeste (The Confreres).

Approximately 30 – 40 persons participated in a protest action against the education reform of Latvia near the Consulate-General of Latvia in St. Petersburg. The action was organized by the Russian youth organization Iduscije Vmeste (The Confreres). Diena, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf features an interview with the MP of Russia State Council Konstantin Zatulin about the education reform of Latvia. Konstantin Zatulin believes that Latvia should have to proclaim Russian as a second state language. The Russian MP also considers unfounded the ratio, stipulating the instruction in minority secondary schools of up to 40% in the minority language, and 60% in Latvian.

Riga City Council’s Education, Youth and Sports department will provide information to minority schools that explain the amendments to the Law on Education. According to the head of the department Guntis Helmanis, among the plans are to appoint a person in each of minority schools of Riga, who will be charged with answering questions of parents and students.

Riga City Councils Education, Youth and Sports department will provide information to minority schools that explain the amendments to the Law on Education. According to the head of the department Guntis Helmanis, among the plans are to appoint a person in each of minority schools of Riga, who will be charged with answering questions of parents and students. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Latvijas Avize reports on a round-table discussion in Moscow last Thursday on possible economic sanctions against Latvia. Most discussion participants rejected the option of sanctions as ineffective.

Telegraf and Vesti Segodnya feature interviews with the deputy chairman of the Committee on Information Policy Affairs of the Russia State Council Pavel Pozhigailo about the education reform in Latvia.

Neatkariga Rita Avize publishes a commentary by Aigars Dabolins about the future role of the Russian language in Latvia. The author of the article states that youth, who do not speak Russian today, could become the outsiders of the society in the future.