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.

• European Court of Human Rights turned down 2 complaints over Latvification of last names as ungrounded
• National Radio and TV Council states that no legal grounds exist to deny provisionof information on municipal elections in Russian
• Education Minister plans a reform in primary education
• Interview with human rights expert Ineta Ziemele
• Article about parents choice of schools
• Presidents Official Language Commission celebrates its three-year anniversary
• Documentaries and brochures on the Russian wedding traditions presented yesterday

The European Court of Human Rights turned down two applications versus Latvia over Latvification of foreign last names in IDs as ungrounded. The petitioners claimed that Latvification of their last names violates their rights to privacy and family life. The petitioners were dissatisfied that according to Latvian legislation their last names – Mentzen and Kuharec – were spelled in their passports in accordance with Latvian grammar rules. The European Court of Human Rights stated that although spelling of personal names in person’s ID may be considered intervention in one’s private and family life, the intervention was grounded because Latvian authorities have not violated their competence in spelling personal names.

The European Court of Human Rights turned down two applications versus Latvia over Latvification of foreign last names inIDs as ungrounded. The petitioners claimed that Latvification of their last names violates their rights to privacy and family life. The petitioners were dissatisfied that according to Latvian legislation their last names – Mentzen and Kuharec – were spelled in their passports in accordance with Latvian grammar rules. The European Court of Human Rights stated that although spelling of personal names in persons ID may be considered intervention in ones private and family life, the intervention was grounded because Latvian authorities have not violated their competence in spelling personal names. Diena, NRA, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya reports that in the response to an inquiry submitted by MP Aleksandrs Bartashevichs regarding legitimacy of the Central Election Commissions decision to stop provision of information about the forthcoming municipal elections in Russian, the National Radio and TV Council have stated that there are no legal obstacles to provision of information on municipal elections in Russian.

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete has developed a draft project of a new reform. This reform is planned to take place in primary schools – both Latvian and minority schools. Regarding changes at minority schools, the reform provides reduction of the number of mathematic and native language classes.

Telegraf interviews professor Ineta Ziemele, one of the authors of the report on human rights in Latvia in 2003. Regarding the situation of minorities, Ineta Ziemele states that the most topical issue – the minority school reform – is neither bad nor good from a legal perspective, however, she notes that successful implementation of the reform depends on the ability to take an individual approach towards each minority school.

Diena prints a series of articles on parents choices of schools for their children. In todays edition the newspaper tells a story of a non-Latvian family who had decided to send their daughter to a Latvian school. However, teachers of the school talked the mother into sending the girl to a Russian school. The teachers argued that although girls Latvian language skills were sufficient she would have difficulties to ‘feel comfortable among children of other mentality.

The President’s Official Language Commission celebrated its three-year anniversary yesterday. The Commission presented two publications – ‘Latvian Language – Expansion of the Borders’ and a brochure developed by ethnologist Ilmars Mezs about statistics regarding the Latvian language. The latter is available in English.

The Presidents Official Language Commission celebrated its three-year anniversary yesterday. The Commission presented two publications – ‘Latvian Language – Expansion of the Borders and a brochure developed by ethnologist Ilmars Mezs about statistics regarding the Latvian language. The latter is available in English. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the National Minority Department of the Secretariat of the Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration held a presentation of two documentaries and brochures on the Russian wedding traditions.

Yesterday the National Minority Department of the Secretariat of the Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration held a presentation of two documentaries and brochures on the Russian wedding traditions. Vesti Segodnya