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.

• Newspapers report on the EU-Russia summit
• Saeima does not adopt amendments to a number of laws concerning ethnic minority rights
• Inspections at minority secondary schools
• Latvijas Avize reports on the results of the study ‘Social Integration and Business: Ethnic Aspects
• Political Scientist Rasma Karklina discusses the draft law, stipulating restrictions for persons with double citizenship to hold high-level offices in the state administration
• Rigas Balss continues the discussion about the refusal to award Latvian citizenship to the opponent of the education reform Jurijs Petropavlovskis
• Discussion on teaching the Latvian and world history at schools

During the EU-Russia summit, the European Union stressed that EU member states Latvia and Estonia comply with the Copenhagen criteria in the area of human and minority rights. The EU called Russia to sign and ratify the boarder agreement with Latvia and Estonia immediately and Russian-speakers of Latvia to be more active and get involved in integration process. The EU also proposed Russia to launch a regular dialogue on observation of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

During the EU-Russia summit, the European Union stressed that EU member states Latvia and Estonia comply with the Copenhagen criteria in the area of human and minority rights. The EU called Russia to sign and ratify the boarder agreement with Latvia and Estonia immediately and Russian-speakers of Latvia to be more active and get involved in integration process. The EU also proposed Russia to launch a regular dialogue on observation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Vesti Segodnya reports that Russias representatives plan to visit the Baltic States as the members of the EU delegation with the aim to monitor minority situation in these states. there are reports that yesterday the President of Russia Vladimir Putin asked to start the development of the boarder agreements with Latvia and Estonia. Latvijas Avize features a critical commentary about the initiative of the EU to discuss human rights issues with Russia. The newspaper believes that it will give Russia an opportunity to continue her reproaches towards Latvia. Latvijas Vestnesis, Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday Saeima did not adopt amendments to a number of laws concerning ethnic minority rights, including amendments to the Citizenship Law, submitted by the People’s Harmony Party, which according to the PHP were aimed at promoting naturalisation. The amendments stipulated that the test of the Latvian history from naturalisation examinations should be omitted because of ‘complexity and ambiguity of the test', persons who have reached the age of 60 years should be exempted from the Latvian language exams, as well as persons with low income should be exempted from the fee to be paid for naturalisation exams. Saeima also refused amendments to the Law on Education, submitted by For Human Rights in the United Latvia, which stipulated that the Ministry of Education and Science does not have the right to define subjects which must be taught in Latvian at minority schools.

Yesterday Saeima did not adopt amendments to a number of laws concerning ethnic minority rights, including amendments to the Citizenship Law, submitted by the Peoples Harmony Party, which according to the PHP were aimed at promoting naturalisation. The amendments stipulated that the test of the Latvian history from naturalisation examinations should be omitted because of ‘complexity and ambiguity of the test', persons who have reached the age of 60 years should be exempted from the Latvian language exams, as well as persons with low income should be exempted from the fee to be paid for naturalisation exams. Saeima also refused amendments to the Law on Education, submitted by For Human Rights in the United Latvia, which stipulated that the Ministry of Education and Science does not have the right to define subjects which must be taught in Latvian at minority schools. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf writes about inspections at minority secondary schools conducted by the Education State Inspection. The key goal of these inspections was monitoring of the implementation of the education reform. 59% of all minority secondary schools, mainly those which reported to have problems with the implementation of the reform, were visited by the Education State Inspection. According to the information of the inspection, 61education institutions fully observe the requirements of the Law on Education, 14 schools have some problems with the implementation of the education reform, while three schools do not comply with the requirements of the law. The inspection also concluded that chemistry, history and economy text books in the Latvian language are difficult to understand for minority students.

Latvijas Avize reports on the results of the study ‘Social Integration and Business: Ethnic Aspects, conducted by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences and the Institute of Economics of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. According to the study, there is informal segregation of Latvian and Russian economic sectors, i.e., Latvian companies mainly work in the sectors of agriculture, construction, industry and advertising, while Russian businesses more frequently are related to oil business, trade, sport clubs and cosmetics. The newspaper also stresses that approximately 30% leaders of Russian companies do not feel any affiliation to Latvia.

Diena prints an article by the political scientist Rasma Karklina about the draft law, stipulating restrictions for persons with double citizenship to hold the offices in the state administration. According to the professor, the draft law also restricts the rights of all citizens because the law would limit the circle of people who could serve for the state and protect the interests of all civil society. Rasma Karklina believes that the draft contradicts the Latvian legislation and the Constitution of Latvia.

Rigas Balss continue the discussion about the refusal of the Cabinet of Ministers to award Latvian citizenship to the opponent of the education reform Jurijs Petropavlovskis featuring views of experts and politicians. Political Scientist Juris Rozenvalds believes that the decision of the government can promote radical feelings in society. The member of the European Parliament Guntars Krasts (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM) states that all activities of Jurijs Petropavlovskis were explicitly aggressive an almost resulted in street fights. He states that in no European country such person would be granted citizenship. While Jurijs Petropavlovskis states that he is loyal to the state and that his activities were only an attempt to ‘protect constitutional freedoms of minorities: to study in their native language. Chas reports that yesterday the outgoing Prime Minister Indulis Emsis asked the government to explain its decision. Rigas Balss, Chas

Diena prints an article on teaching the Latvian and world history, featuring views of historians, representatives of civil organisations and parents. Several historians believe that it would better if there would be a specific subject ‘Latvian history. In their view it would ensure better possibilities to maintain national identity and the Latvian statehood. While others believe that pupils should study the Latvian history in the context of the world history. The executive director of the world-wide non-governmental organization for civic education Civitas International Guntis Catlaks believes that the context of the European history is particularly important in teaching the Latvian history at minority schools.