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 comment on responses to ratification of the Framework Convention
• Saeima lawyers: possibility to study in Russian at state universities is a violation of the Law on Education
• Yakovs Pliners, FHRUL, comments on the ruling of the Constitutional Court on the compliance of the minority education reform with the Constitution and international standards
• Interview with MEP Inese Vaidere

Newspapers report on the response of the union for Freedom and Fatherland/LNIM to ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. FF/LNIM states that the ratified Convention does not correspond the interests of the state, because ‘the Convention provides a possibility to hostile forces dispute a number of Latvian laws and that will result in senseless meetings, demonstrations and pickets.’

Newspapers report on the response of the union for Freedom and Fatherland/LNIM to ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. FF/LNIM states that the ratified Convention does not correspond the interests of the state, because ‘the Convention provides a possibility to hostile forces dispute a number of Latvian laws and that will result in senseless meetings, demonstrations and pickets. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas

Chas comments on ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The newspaper states that the adopted minority definition is so unclear ‘that mass media refrains from in-depth commenting of ratification. The newspaper adds that this time the government did not manage to ‘satisfy either the Council of Europe or nationalistically minded people.

Although the Law on Education stipulates that state universities should provide all studies in the Latvian language, it is possible to pursue both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Russian at the Riga Technical University. A student just has to apply as a foreigner and pay the study fee, which should be paid by foreign students. Lawyers of Saeima consider that it is an open violation of the Law, while the Ministry of Education and Science has concluded that it is possible to study in Russian at universities, if a student covers the study fee. 

Although the Law on Education stipulates that state universities should provide all studies in the Latvian language, it is possible to pursue both bachelors and masters degrees in Russian at the Riga Technical University. A student just has to apply as a foreigner and pay the study fee, which should be paid by foreign students. Lawyers of Saeima consider that it is an open violation of the Law, while the Ministry of Education and Science has concluded that it is possible to study in Russian at universities, if a student covers the study fee.

The Head of the Parliamentary Group of the Union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Yakovs Pliners comments on the ruling of the Constitutional Court on the compliance of the minority education reform with the Constitution of Latvia and international norms. Yakovs Pliners notes that first of all the Court ruled that the monitoring system of the quality of education is not effective and, second, the Court ‘indirectly stated that the minority education reform was not ready for the implementation.’ Yakovs Pliners provides his interpretation of the ruling ‘the Court concluded that the implementation of bilingual education is recommended. Although bilingual education is already launched, it is difficult to understand how this recommendation will be implemented.’ Yakovs Pliners concludes that the decision of the Court is ‘certain progress.’ 

The Head of the Parliamentary Group of the Union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Yakovs Pliners comments on the ruling of the Constitutional Court on the compliance of the minority education reform with the Constitution of Latvia and international norms. Yakovs Pliners notes that first of all the Court ruled that the monitoring system of the quality of education is not effective and, second, the Court ‘indirectly stated that the minority education reform was not ready for the implementation. Yakovs Pliners provides his interpretation of the ruling ‘the Court concluded that the implementation of bilingual education is recommended. Although bilingual education is already launched, it is difficult to understand how this recommendation will be implemented. Yakovs Pliners concludes that the decision of the Court is ‘certain progress.

Latvijas Avize interviews MEP Inese Vaidere, FF/LNIM. She expresses concern regarding ratification of the Convention ‘in fact, nobody, but Russia has asked Latvia to ratify the Convention. She is also very concerned about the minority definition as ‘it includes all non-Latvians.