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.

• Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools warns about possible public disorders on 1 September
• Russia will reproach Latvias policy towards ‘mass non-citizenship during the Session of the United Nations General Assembly
• Diena reports on the Programme for Supporting the Latvian Diaspora 2004 – 2009

Several members of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools have sent an open letter to the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis and MPs, inviting to establish a moratorium on the education reform till the moment when the Law on Minority Schools, which is in the phase of drafting, becomes effective. The authors of the letter reproaches the government for ‘demonstratively ignoring’ recommendations issued by international organisations, such as, recommendations to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and to grant to non-citizens the right to vote in municipal elections. ‘The scale of protest actions and level of tension raise concern about possible conflict between participants of protest actions and the police on 1 September,’ stated the authors of the letter. In their turn, the police have announced that they are ready to use water-cannons to maintain public order during the protest actions. The State Security Police and the Minister of Interior Eriks Jekabsons regarded the letter a provocation aimed at causing insurgencies during the protest action. While the Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks believes that there is no reason to be concerned about possible ethnic conflicts or conflicts between police and opponents of the reform.

Several members of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools have sent an open letter to the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis and MPs, inviting to establish a moratorium on the education reform till the moment when the Law on Minority Schools, which is in the phase of drafting, becomes effective. The authors of the letter reproaches the government for ‘demonstratively ignoring recommendations issued by international organisations, such as, recommendations to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and to grant to non-citizens the right to vote in municipal elections. ‘The scale of protest actions and level of tension raise concern about possible conflict between participants of protest actions and the police on 1 September, stated the authors of the letter. In their turn, the police have announced that they are ready to use water-cannons to maintain public order during the protest actions. The State Security Police and the Minister of Interior Eriks Jekabsons regarded the letter a provocation aimed at causing insurgencies during the protest action. While the Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks believes that there is no reason to be concerned about possible ethnic conflicts or conflicts between police and opponents of the reform. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The Russian delegation plans to talk about the ‘inadmissibility of the Latvia’s policy towards mass non-citizenship’ and will express its concern regarding Latvia’s attempts to misinterpret outcomes of the World War II in the Session of the United Nations General Assembly which will take place in New York in September.

The Russian delegation plans to talk about the ‘inadmissibility of the Latvias policy towards mass non-citizenship and will express its concern regarding Latvias attempts to misinterpret outcomes of the World War II in the Session of the United Nations General Assembly which will take place in New York in September. Vesti Segodnya

Diena reports on the Programme for Supporting the Latvian Diaspora 2004 – 2009, developed by the Secretariat of the Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration. The new programme foresees the increase of financial funding for the Latvian diaspora already this year. Funding will be used to support organisations, which support the Latvian diaspora, create a database about these organisations, as well as to publish the informative guide about Latvia. The programme also stipulates the development of Latvian language educational programme and teaching aids, distribution of funding to mass media of the diaspora and other activities.