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.

• Diena discusses the implementation of minority education reform
• Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Yuri Fedotov calls the OSCE to ensure the observation of minority rights in Latvia and Estonia
• Chas reports on the growing number of naturalisation applications

In the middle of May the Ministry of Education and Science met with all directors of minority schools. In discussions directors stated that there is a strong need for text books as well as financial resources to implement individual work with those students whose Latvian is bad. Directors also noted that they expect bigger support from the Ministry of Education and Science in the formation of positive attitude towards the reform. Directors admitted that a psychological barrier experienced by minority students to use the Latvian language in classes has been reduced. While the views on the quality of education after the implementation of the minority education reform differ – several directors admit that the reform has no impact on the quality of education, another part states that the reform has an impact, while remaining part argues that any conclusions may be drawn only in 2007, when today’s 10

In the middle of May the Ministry of Education and Science met with all directors of minority schools. In discussions directors stated that there is a strong need for text books as well as financial resources to implement individual work with those students whose Latvian is bad. Directors also noted that they expect bigger support from the Ministry of Education and Science in the formation of positive attitude towards the reform. Directors admitted that a psychological barrier experienced by minority students to use the Latvian language in classes has been reduced. While the views on the quality of education after the implementation of the minority education reform differ – several directors admit that the reform has no impact on the quality of education, another part states that the reform has an impact, while remaining part argues that any conclusions may be drawn only in 2007, when todays 10th grade will graduate secondary school. Diena

The Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Yuri Fedotov called the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to develop and implement real measures aimed at granting national minorities living in Latvia and Estonia their rights. During the plenary session of the OSCE Economic Forum the Russian official stated that 460,000 residents of Latvia and 150,000 residents of Estonia have the ‘discriminatory status of non-citizen.’

The Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Yuri Fedotov called the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to develop and implement real measures aimed at granting national minorities living in Latvia and Estonia their rights. During the plenary session of the OSCE Economic Forum the Russian official stated that 460,000 residents of Latvia and 150,000 residents of Estonia have the ‘discriminatory status of non-citizen. Chas, Telegraf

Chas reports on the growing number of naturalisation applications. In particular the number of applications has increased from 15-17 year old people. According to the Naturalisation Board, 108 naturalisation applications from persons of this age were received during first two months of this year. The number of naturalisation applications received from young people has almost doubled during the last two years – in 2003 425 naturalisation applications were received, while in 2004 928 naturalisation applications.