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.

• State Security Police aware of about financial sources of the Headquarters of the Defence of Russian-language Schools
• Article by the director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Brigita Zepa on results of the research ‘Integration of Non-Latvian Youth in Latvian Society in the Context of the Education Reform
• Vesti Segodnya reports on a forthcoming Congress of the Russian Community
• Russian language newspapers write about the huge interest in Latvian language courses free of charge
• Latvijas Avize: citizenship could be one of pre-condition to receive scholarships at state universities
• Excerpts of an article published by the Dagens Nyheters about Russian-speaking minorities in Latvia
• Sociolinguistic research ‘Proficiency and Usage of the Latvian language in Liepaja in 2004
• Riga Sampetera Minority Elementary School reorganised into a Minority Secondary school

State Security Police are informed about financial sources of the Headquarters of the Defence of Russian-language Schools, has stated the Minister of Interior Eriks Jekabsons. The Minister revealed that a part of funding comes from Moscow, however, he does think that it could cause any threats to state security. The member of the Headquarters Aleksandrs Kazakovs responded that at his disposal there is no information that the Headquarters is funded by Moscow. 

State Security Police are informed about financial sources of the Headquarters of the Defence of Russian-language Schools, has stated the Minister of Interior Eriks Jekabsons. The Minister revealed that a part of funding comes from Moscow, however, he does think that it could cause any threats to state security. The member of the Headquarters Aleksandrs Kazakovs responded that at his disposal there is no information that the Headquarters is funded by Moscow. Vesti Segodnya features an interview with Eriks Jekabsons. He hopes that no conflicts will take place during the protest actions on 1 September and that parents will take measures to ensure security of their children and will not allow them to participate in protest actions. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

Diena prints an article by the director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Brigita Zepa on results of the research ‘Integration of Non-Latvian Youth in Latvian Society in the Context of the Education Reform. Brigita Zepa stresses that bilingual education and the transition to studies mainly in Latvian language are two different issues therefore should not be mixed. Although it is considered that in general bilingual education has been implemented successfully, in some cases it still does not ensure fully the transfer to studies in the Latvian language. Also the attitude of different target groups to bilingual education and the transfer to studies in Latvian are quite diverse: if bilingual education is perceived in a positive light by majority of minority teachers and students, then the transfer to studies mainly in Latvian is evaluated mostly negatively. According to the author, the political statement that the education reform in minority secondary school will enhance competitiveness of minority children in the job market does not convinces their parents. However, Latvians (84%) as well as non-Latvians (82%) believe in a necessity to form a unitary society in Latvia.

Vesti Segodnya reports on a forthcoming Congress of the Russian Community. The newspaper writes that it will be an officially registered organisation in Latvia and Strasbourg. The organisation will be registered in two countries to be able to establish a dialogue with the state with the help of European organisations. The first meeting of the Congress is scheduled for 12 September.

Russian language newspapers write about the huge interest in Latvian language courses free of charge. According to newspapers, there are 400 persons for available 150 places.

Russian language newspapers write about the huge interest in Latvian language courses free of charge. According to newspapers, there are 400 persons for available 150 places. Vesti, Chas

Latvijas Avize writes that Latvian citizenship may become one of pre-conditions to receive a scholarship at state universities. Recently the government adopted new provisions, which stipulate that as of academic year 2004/2005 the amount of scholarship at state universities is increased from 8 to 70 lats, but is paid only to students with excellent and good grades. The Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins believes that in cases when several students apply for one scholarship the preference should be given to disabled persons, orphans and also Latvian citizens. The Head of the State Human Rights Bureau Analyses Department Liga Bikseniece regards the citizenship criteria a violation of human rights.

Diena reprints excerpts of the article by the Swedish professors Thomas Lunden and Krister Valbek, published by the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter, about Russian-speaking minorities in Latvia. According to the authors, the Russian-speakers, who arrived to Latvia and Estonia after the World War II, should not be regarded as a minority, but as immigrants. ‘If we regard them as one of the largest immigrant groups in Europe, it becomes obvious that in many areas they are more privileged than Turks in Germany or Northern Africans in France are, state the authors. State funded primary schools in the Baltic States they name as one of examples of privileges.

The Latvian Language Institute of the University of Latvia and Liepaja Pedagogical Academy conducted a sociolinguistic research ‘Proficiency and Usage of the Latvian language in Liepaja in 2004.’ The study reveals that Latvian language proficiency of non-Latvians in Liepaja has improved since last year.

The Latvian Language Institute of the University of Latvia and Liepaja Pedagogical Academy conducted a sociolinguistic research ‘Proficiency and Usage of the Latvian language in Liepaja in 2004. The study reveals that Latvian language proficiency of non-Latvians in Liepaja has improved since last year. Latvijas Avize

The Riga Sampetera Minority Elementary School is re-organised into a minority secondary school.

The Riga Sampetera Minority Elementary School is re-organised into a minority secondary school. Latvijas Avize