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

• Approximately 50,000 minority students could participate in the strike against the education reform on 15 April
• Change of the Latvian Associations for the Support of Russian-Language Schools (LASHOR) governing body
• Response of the head of Saeima Latvias First Party (LFP) parliamentary group Oskars Kastens to the article in the Latvijas Avize
• Interview with the MP Boris Tsilevich
• Interview with the leader of the Afro-Latvian Association Christopher Ejugbo
• Dr. Phil. Maris Ruks on repatriation as an alternative to social integration and naturalization

According to the information of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools, approximately 50,000 minority students could participate in the strike against the education reform on 15 April.

According to the information of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools, approximately 50,000 minority students could participate in the strike against the education reform on 15 April. Chas informs about activities of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools collecting signatures of the minorities representatives who support moratorium on the education reform. The signatures will be submitted to the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis and Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Telegraf

Newspapers write about the change in the Latvian Association’s for the Support of Russian-Language Schools (LASHOR) governing body.

Newspapers write about the change in the Latvian Associations for the Support of Russian-Language Schools (LASHOR) governing body. Diena, referring to the former member of the board Igors Vatolins, informs that Igors Pimenovss refusal to candidate repeatedly to the chairmans post could be related to the resolution on support of the protest actions against the education reform, organized by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools, adopted by the newly elected board members. Previously Igors Pimenovs, together with the other former board members, initiated LASHOR withdrawal as a founding member of the Headquarters and as a partner in organizing protest actions against the education reform. Diena, Rigas Balss, Telegraf, Chas

Latvijas Avize prints a response of the head of Saeima Latvias First Party (LFP) parliamentary group Oskars Kastens to the article of the Latvijas Avizes journalist Inara Murniece, in which she has pointed out similarities between positions of the Latvias First Party and the Peoples Harmony Party on society integration issues. According to Oskars Kastens, the parties have different attitudes towards the education reform, state language and the granting of voting rights to non-citizens at municipal elections. Oskars Kastens states that LFP consequently supports the education reform while MPs of PHP, for example, Valerijs Agesins, organize protest actions against it. LFP also does not support granting Russian language status of the second state language, as it could diminish the motivation of minorities to learn Latvian and legitimatize the consequences of the soviet language policy. Contrary to the position of the PHP, Latvias First Party believes that Latvia must not enlarge the rights of non-citizens, granting them voting rights at municipal elections, but should instead increase the number of lawful citizens.

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the MP Boris Tsilevich, who believes that the right to study in the native tongue is a legitimate and natural right of a person in the democratic society, and the sooner it is recognized by the Latvian state, the easier it will be to resolve the conflict in the area of the education reform, otherwise escalation of the conflict is inevitable. He also stresses that as the Peoples Harmony Party is not part of the governing coalition and has no obligations towards this government, it reserves the right to vote against other important draft laws, if the situation with the education reform stays unchanged.

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the leader of the Afro-Latvian Association Christopher Ejugbo about future plans of organization and level of intolerance in the Latvian society. According to Christopher Ejugbo, intolerance, stereotypes and prejudices against the people of African origin exist in the Latvian society.

Latvijas Vestnesis publishes an article about interethnic relations by Dr.Phil. Maris Ruks. The author is convinced that by announcing integration and naturalization as the only ‘road signs for Russian-speakers, politicians and state officials deny big part of the population much wider opportunities which they can gain by repatriation. Maris Ruks calls step-by-step repatriation of the Soviet era migrants, which he suggests to organize in accordance with the International law, a ‘natural and logical solution to the consequences of occupation. He expresses serious concerns about integration and naturalization, which, in his opinion, produce disloyal citizens of the state.