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.

• Riga City Council halts authorisation of the protest actions against the education reform
• State officials talk about the possible ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Denis Hanovs blames the journalist of Vesti Segodnya for inciting ethnic hatred
• Formation of the European Union Russian Party could be completed by the middle of 2006

Riga City Council has halted authorisation of the protest actions against the education reform, planned by the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL). The City Council decided to halt authorisation of the protest action after the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools distributed an open letter to the President of Latvia, the Prime Minister and MPs, where they warned about a possible conflict between participants of the protest actions and the police. MPs of FHRUL announced that they would sue the Riga City Council if the Council does not issue the authorisation to organise the protest meeting against the education reform on 1 September and other longer-term protest actions, which were scheduled for 23 August. According to MPs of FHRUL, the delay of the authorisation of the protest actions contradicts the Constitution of Latvia which stipulates that the freedom of previously confirmed peaceful meetings, processions and pickets can be restricted only to protect the rights of other persons, democratic political system as well as public security, welfare and morality.

Riga City Council has halted authorisation of the protest actions against the education reform, planned by the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL). The City Council decided to halt authorisation of the protest action after the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools distributed an open letter to the President of Latvia, the Prime Minister and MPs, where they warned about a possible conflict between participants of the protest actions and the police. MPs of FHRUL announced that they would sue the Riga City Council if the Council does not issue the authorisation to organise the protest meeting against the education reform on 1 September and other longer-term protest actions, which were scheduled for 23 August. According to MPs of FHRUL, the delay of the authorisation of the protest actions contradicts the Constitution of Latvia which stipulates that the freedom of previously confirmed peaceful meetings, processions and pickets can be restricted only to protect the rights of other persons, democratic political system as well as public security, welfare and morality. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Telegraf

Newspapers continue a discussion about a possible ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, featuring statements of the state officials. The head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins believes that the ratification of the Convention is possible if Russia recognises the occupation of the Baltic States and if the rights of national minorities are not granted to persons, who ‘arrived in Latvia by tanks.’ Kirsteins says that Latvia should define the term ‘national minority’ as ‘an ethnic group living in Latvia for several centuries, which differs from the language, culture and traditions of the core nation’ and ‘an ethnic group, which needs the additional protection because it does not have its own home country.’ The Head of the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee Ina Druviete believes that Latvia should not ratify the Convention while protest actions against the education reform take place. The Minister of Foreign Affairs considers the ratification of the Convention possible if it promotes societal integration. While the Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks believes that the ratification of the Convention would promote societal integration because the Convention could become a framework for the dialogue between the state and national minorities as well as between the state and the European Union.

Newspapers continue a discussion about a possible ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, featuring statements of the state officials. The head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins believes that the ratification of the Convention is possible if Russia recognises the occupation of the Baltic States and if the rights of national minorities are not granted to persons, who ‘arrived in Latvia by tanks. Kirsteins says that Latvia should define the term ‘national minority as ‘an ethnic group living in Latvia for several centuries, which differs from the language, culture and traditions of the core nation and ‘an ethnic group, which needs the additional protection because it does not have its own home country. The Head of the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee Ina Druviete believes that Latvia should not ratify the Convention while protest actions against the education reform take place. The Minister of Foreign Affairs considers the ratification of the Convention possible if it promotes societal integration. While the Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks believes that the ratification of the Convention would promote societal integration because the Convention could become a framework for the dialogue between the state and national minorities as well as between the state and the European Union. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya features a critical article by Denis Hanovs, the member of the working group which develops the National Programme against Intolerance. Denis Hanovs blames the journalist of the newspaper Nikolajs Kabanovs for stirring national hatred. Nikolajs Kabanovs criticised authors of the programme for not paying their attention to the Russian language, affiliation to Russian-speaking minority and citizenship as the areas and causes of intolerance. Denis Hanovs replies that it would be rather weird to discuss discrimination against only one ethnic group – Russians.

The formation of the European Union Russian Party could be completed by the middle of 2006. After with the meeting with the member of the European Parliament Tatjana Zdanoka also the Estonian Russian Party and United People’s Party of Estonia announced their intentions to participate in the formation of the new party. 

The formation of the European Union Russian Party could be completed by the middle of 2006. After with the meeting with the member of the European Parliament Tatjana Zdanoka also the Estonian Russian Party and United Peoples Party of Estonia announced their intentions to participate in the formation of the new party. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize