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.

• Nils Muiznieks: constructive dialogue between the government and the hunger strikes participants is impossible
• Interview with the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks
• Professor of international law Ineta Ziemele about status of Latvian non-citizens in the European Union
• Activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs is hoping for the status of ‘forced migrant in Russia
• Riga Jewish Community asks Riga City Council to take over the maintenance of the memorial devoted to the victims of Nazism
• Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs committee refuses to discuss expulsion of Aleksandrs Kazakovs and planting of listening devices at the Headquarters premises
• Russian-speaking math teacher Svetlana Francmane about impact of the Latvian language usage on quality of minority education

‘Constructive dialogue between the government and participants of the hunger strike against the education reform is impossible due to the aggressive disposition of representatives of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools,’ stated Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks. He points to the necessity of intensifying the dialogue with the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-language Schools and other professionals, because ‘it is absurd to talk about interruption of the education reform when its implementation has already started’. Ambassador of Russia to Latvia Igor Stoudennikov has visited the hunger strike’s participants and called on them to stop the strike, write Russian-language newspapers.

‘Constructive dialogue between the government and participants of the hunger strike against the education reform is impossible due to the aggressive disposition of representatives of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools, stated Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks. He points to the necessity of intensifying the dialogue with the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-language Schools and other professionals, because ‘it is absurd to talk about interruption of the education reform when its implementation has already started. Ambassador of Russia to Latvia Igor Stoudennikov has visited the hunger strikes participants and called on them to stop the strike, write Russian-language newspapers. Chas reports on the open letter from the strikes participants to the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, explaining their motives and demands. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

The Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks, in his interview to

The Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks, in his interview to Latvijas Vetnesis, names the growing prestige of Latvian citizenship among non-citizens and the increasing naturalisation speed as the main successes, and lack of defined priorities at the Saeima level in the area - as one of the main problems in the area of society integration.

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the professor of international law Ineta Ziemele about status of Latvian non-citizens in the European Union. According to the professor, non-citizen status has not been legally defined by the EU yet, and hence the Latvian non-citizens are equalised with the citizens of the third countries. Ineta Ziemele also believes that there should be a minimal difference between rights of citizens and non-citizens in Latvia, and says that ‘It would be enough to retain for Latvian citizens only such specific rights as a possibility to elect the Saeima and to work at the state security institutions.

Activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs, recently expelled from Latvia, is planning to demand a status of ‘forced migrant’ in Russia. According to the Russian legislation, ‘forced migrant’ is a citizen of Russia who left his place of residence due to violence or persecution of any kind against him or his family, or due to a real danger of persecution on the grounds of race, ethnicity, religious belief, language, as well as due to affiliation with the certain social group, or to political views. In the meantime, Riga City Council has authorised a picket in support of Aleksandrs Kazakovs, which will take place this afternoon.

Activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs, recently expelled from Latvia, is planning to demand a status of ‘forced migrant in Russia. According to the Russian legislation, ‘forced migrant is a citizen of Russia who left his place of residence due to violence or persecution of any kind against him or his family, or due to a real danger of persecution on the grounds of race, ethnicity, religious belief, language, as well as due to affiliation with the certain social group, or to political views. In the meantime, Riga City Council has authorised a picket in support of Aleksandrs Kazakovs, which will take place this afternoon. Chas, Telegraf

Riga Jewish Community, due to the lack of means, has asked Riga City Council to take over the maintenance of the memorial devoted to the victims of Nazism.

Riga Jewish Community, due to the lack of means, has asked Riga City Council to take over the maintenance of the memorial devoted to the victims of Nazism. Latvijas Avize

Russian-language newspapers feature critical articles about unwillingness of the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs committee to discuss the issues of expulsion of the Headquarters’ for the Defence of Russian-language schools activist Aleksandrs Kazakovs, and of listening devices found at the premises of the Headquarters.

Russian-language newspapers feature critical articles about unwillingness of the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs committee to discuss the issues of expulsion of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language schools activist Aleksandrs Kazakovs, and of listening devices found at the premises of the Headquarters. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Rigas Balss prints an interview with the Russian-speaking math teacher Svetlana Francmane, who believes that approximately 15% of information at the math lessons can be lost due to the usage of Latvian language during these lessons in minority schools. The teacher also points to the lack of good methodology for Latvian language learning.