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.

• Activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs, who is also the assistant of the member of the Russia State Council Dmitry Rogozin, expelled from Latvia
• Draft Law on Minority Schools is not ready for public discussions yet
• Prime Minister Indulis Emsis talks about the implementation of the education reform
• Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools calls minority students to change methods of protest
• Diena writes about possibilities to apply for Latvian language courses free of charge

‘The activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs, who is also the assistant of the member of the Russia State Council Dmitry Rogozin, will be expelled from Latvia because he does not have a legitimate reason to stay in Latvia,’ has stated the Minister of Interior Eriks Jekabsons. According to the Minister, there are two reasons for his deportation: first, Kazahov’s marriage with a Latvian citizen was the only reason why Kazahov’s residence permit was prolonged. However, his wife died in the beginning of August. Second, activities of Aleksandrs Kazakovs are directly related to security issues in Latvia.

‘The activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs, who is also the assistant of the member of the Russia State Council Dmitry Rogozin, will be expelled from Latvia because he does not have a legitimate reason to stay in Latvia, has stated the Minister of Interior Eriks Jekabsons. According to the Minister, there are two reasons for his deportation: first, Kazahovs marriage with a Latvian citizen was the only reason why Kazahovs residence permit was prolonged. However, his wife died in the beginning of August. Second, activities of Aleksandrs Kazakovs are directly related to security issues in Latvia. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Contrary to a statement of the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, the working group under the Minister of Education and Science which develops a draft Law on Minority Schools has announced that the draft law is not ready for public discussions yet.

Contrary to a statement of the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, the working group under the Minister of Education and Science which develops a draft Law on Minority Schools has announced that the draft law is not ready for public discussions yet. Diena, Latvijas Avize

Chas features an interview with the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis about the implementation of the education reform. When commenting results of the research, recently conducted by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences and which reveals that only 15% Russian-speaking students support the education reform, the Prime Minister stressed that the education reform should not be perceived as a command issued by the state with the goal to make a negative influence on Russian-speaking students. The education reform, first of all, is necessary for students. ‘They do not understand the key aims of the reform if they could give such answers, notes the Prime Minister. Indulis Emsis believes that besides few technical issues, such as the lack of teaching aids, there are no serious problems concerning the implementation of the reform.

The Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools has issued a statement which calls minority students to return back to schools. The call invites students to express their disagreement with the education reform in other ways, namely, to answer only in a mother tongue to questions asked in lessons which take place in the Latvian language or bilingually. Meanwhile newspapers report that minority students have not supported the protest action ‘Empty Schools’ on action’s second day.

The Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools has issued a statement which calls minority students to return back to schools. The call invites students to express their disagreement with the education reform in other ways, namely, to answer only in a mother tongue to questions asked in lessons which take place in the Latvian language or bilingually. Meanwhile newspapers report that minority students have not supported the protest action ‘Empty Schools on actions second day. Diena

Diena features an article about possibilities to apply for Latvian language courses free of charge. The courses will be organised in Ventspils and are financed by the Societal Integration Foundation. The requirement to have a good Latvian language proficiency at work, desire to find a job or naturalise and then find a job in another EU member state are key motivations for applicants to learn the language. While Diena looks into the overall situation concerning Latvian language training free of charge. The newspaper notes that there is a possibility that courses free of charge may not be provided next year due to the lack of funding. The key source of funding was the EU Phare programme which ends this year. Although the Latvian state provided the required co-funding, it has not given any promises to continue the funding. The Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks believes that there is a possibility to find the necessary amount of money in the next years state budget, however, he also suggests to look for other possibilities to find money.