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 plans to implement new protest activities against the education reform
• Comments on the formation of the new organisation United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia
• Politicians and ministers discuss societal integration issues in Limbazi
• Researcher: work of the Consultative Council on Nationality and Society Affairs not effective
• Naturalisation Board does not halt naturalisation
• OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities will look into the issues concerning the rights of Russian speakers in Latvia

The Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools plans to implement new protest activities against the education reform because the protest actions in September were not effective. On Monday the hunger strike was stopped as well. Members of the Headquarters state that protests failed because the government started discussions about the development of the Law on Minority Schools and has not been very strict regarding the implementation of the ratio of instruction languages.

The Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools plans to implement new protest activities against the education reform because the protest actions in September were not effective. On Monday the hunger strike was stopped as well. Members of the Headquarters state that protests failed because the government started discussions about the development of the Law on Minority Schools and has not been very strict regarding the implementation of the ratio of instruction languages. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Dienas columnist Askolds Rodins comments on the formation of the new organisation United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (UCRCL). He stresses that at the congress there were representatives of 14 minority organisations who spoke on the behalf of all Russians in Latvia, although in total there are 40 minority organisations in Latvia. The columnist speculates that the new organisation may become a national radical satellite of FHRUL and then cleavages in the new organisation are not avoidable. The columnist concludes with the data from the recent study according to which 84% Latvians and 82% non-Latvians want to see a single-community society in Latvia. ‘Latvijas Avize asks views of Latvian politicians regarding the new organisation. Politicians agree that the goals and programmes of the new organisation are targeted against the development of Latvia; nevertheless no response to the Congress should be made.

Latvijas Avize reports on the Book festival in Limbazi (a town in a Northern part of Latvia) in which a number of politicians and members of government were present. Politicians and members of government also took part in the discussion organised by Latvijas Avize. Among other issues, participants of the discussion talked about social integration. Both the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis and the Societal Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks expressed their satisfaction with the governments activities in dealing with the implementation of the education reform and the protest activities, while the member of the Riga City Council Janis Karpovics argued that the Riga City Councilshould be thanked for a successful implementation of the education reform. Regarding the Law on Minority Schools, the Prime Minister repeatedly expressed his support for the development of the Law, while the representative of the New Era Krisjanis Karins believed that the adoption of such law would be a step towards a two-community society.

The assistant Sigita Zankovska-Odina working for the Centre for Ethnic Research of the University of Latvia evaluates the development of a dialogue between minorities and the government. She states that the Consultative Council on Nationality and Society Affairs established a year and a half ago under the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister of Societal Integration Affairs fails to be an effective mechanism of building a dialogue with minorities. She argues that the Council lost its expected efficiency because the body of the Council and its preliminary program were changed. Zankovska-Odina believes that the body of the Council proves that minorities are not able to consolidate, resultantly state institutions have difficulties with identification of partners. She summarises that through the Council minorities and organisations dealing with integration issues are given the possibility to be heard and it is up to them whether their views are taken into account. She also notes that a big part of society are not aware of the existence of the Council, therefore she advises the Ministry to promote activities of the Council.

The assistant Sigita Zankovska-Odina working for the Centre for Ethnic Research of the University of Latvia evaluates the development of a dialogue between minorities and the government. She states that the Consultative Council on Nationality and Society Affairs established a year and a half ago under the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister of Societal Integration Affairs fails to be an effective mechanism of building a dialogue with minorities. She argues that the Council lost its expected efficiency because the body of the Council and its preliminary program were changed. Zankovska-Odina believes that the body of the Council proves that minorities are not able to consolidate, resultantly state institutions have difficulties with identification of partners. She summarises that through the Council minorities and organisations dealing with integration issues are given the possibility to be heard and it is up to them whether their views are taken into account. She also notes that a big part of societyare not aware of the existence of the Council, therefore she advises the Ministry to promote activities of the Council. Diena

Chas investigates whether the tempo of naturalisation is intentionally halted before municipal elections in Latvia. The press secretary of the Naturalisation Board notes that on contrary the number of naturalisation applicants is increasing and explains more in detail theflow of documents and naturalisation procedures.

Vesti Segodnya reports that the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ralf Ekeus is charged to clarify the situation regarding violations of rights of Russian-speakers in Latvia.