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.

• Drafting of the Law on Minority Schools has been halted
• Latvia Foreign Affairs Ministry is not planning to respond to the Russias reproaches about repressions against opponents of the education reform
• Interview with the head of Peoples Harmony Party Janis Jurkans
• Director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Brigita Zepa talks about the problems concerning the implementation of the education reform

The working group has halted the development of the Law on Minority Schools till a study about the situation in minority schools is conducted. The majority of the working group agreed that the information at their disposal is not sufficient to develop the Law.

The working group has halted the development of the Law on Minority Schools till a study about the situation in minority schools is conducted. The majority of the working group agreed that the information at their disposal is not sufficient to develop the Law. Telegraf

The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry is not planning to respond to the Russia’s statement in which Russia criticised Latvia for the protest actions against the education reform and the expulsion of the adviser of the Russia State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin Aleksandrs Kazakovs from Latvia. In its statement the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry called the expulsion of Aleksandrs Kazakovs an example of state repressions against opponents of the education reform. According to the state secretary of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry Maris Riekstins, the expulsion of Aleksandrs Kazakovs was conducted in accordance with Latvian legislation and Latvia does not have to account for that.

The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry is not planning to respond to the Russias statement in which Russia criticised Latvia for the protest actions against the education reform and the expulsion of the adviser of the Russia State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin Aleksandrs Kazakovs from Latvia. In its statement the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry called the expulsion of Aleksandrs Kazakovs an example of state repressions against opponents of the education reform. According to the state secretary of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry Maris Riekstins, the expulsion of Aleksandrs Kazakovs was conducted in accordance with Latvian legislation and Latvia does not have to account for that. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the head of Peoples Harmony Party Janis Jurkans about the societal integration issues and relationships between Latvia and Russia. Janis Jurkans is convinced that non-citizens will not be granted the right to participate in municipal elections because ‘first, right-wing politicians hate Russian-speakers and, second, they are afraid to loose political and economical power. According to the politician, granting the right to vote could have a strong impact on election results in some municipalities in Latvia, for instance, in Riga. The head of the party also believes that relationships between Russia and Latvia depend on the willingness of Latvia to revise its policy concerning Russian-speakers.

Chas features an interview with the director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Brigita Zepa about the problems concerning the implementation of the education reform. The social scientist points to the necessity to implement an individual approach because a part of minority schools are ready to implement the education reform and have already launched the reform, while some schools are not ready for the implementation of the reform and hence should have an opportunity to implement the reform according to the individual scheme. Brigita Zepa stresses that the reform is politicised and unwillingness of the state to make any compromises are the key issues, which prevent a successful implementation of the education reform.