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.

• LCHRES holds seminar on peaceful protests, hate and social cohesion
• Journalist Andrey Voroncov about his plans to establish a right-wing Russian party in Latvia
• Russian youth discuss the minority education reform
• Young people from Moscow and Riga discuss social integration in Latvia
• Russian Ambassador to Latvia talks about Russian Latvian relations

Chas reports on the seminar ‘Peaceful Protests, Hate and Social Cohesion: Policy, Law Enforcement and Legislation held by the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies on Saturday. The seminar was organised with the support of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Netherlands. The Riga City Council Mayor Aivars Aksenoks, vice-Mayor of the city of Amsterdam, representatives of police of both countries and anti-discrimination experts took part in the seminar. The newspaper refers to a number of statements made by participants of the seminar. Media expert Sergeys Kruks noted that in the Western Europe meetings and demonstrations are perceived as a sign of democracy and possibility for various groups of society to express their views, while in Latvia ‘the political elite prefers that everybody keeps silent. The newspaper concludes that there are many lessons ‘we can learn from other European countries, however, first of all, there should be a willingness to learn, and that is lacking among the Latvian political elite.

Chas talks to journalist Andrey Voroncov who has announced about his plans to establish a right wing Russian party in Latvia. He states that in Latvia although parties claim to belong to one or another wing their programmes and activities contradict these claims. Andrey Voroncov admits that Russians will be the electorate of his party. When asked to comment on the minority education reform, he says that his party believes that all education system should be reformed and municipalities should be a responsible body for the choice of the language of instruction at schools. He continues that at the moment Russian may not be granted the status of the official language, however, on the basis of European norms it would be possible that municipalities are free to decide in which language they want communicate with its residents.

Russian language newspapers account for the meeting of Russian youth from Latvia and Estonia in Daugavpils. According to the newspapers more than 300 young people took part in the seminar. The main discussion topic was education in the Russian language. Participants of the meeting agreed that the quality of education, since the minority education reform has been launched, has deteriorated.

Russian language newspapers account for the meeting of Russian youth from Latvia and Estonia in Daugavpils. According to the newspapers more than 300 young people took part in the seminar. The main discussion topic was education in the Russian language. Participants of the meeting agreed that the quality of education, since the minority education reform has been launched, has deteriorated. Vesti Segodnya prints the call of participants addressed to the European community asking for the help and support of the European community in attempts to abolish the minority education reform in Latvia. Chas

Telegraf reports on the youth conference ‘Aspects of Social Integration in Latvia. Representatives of Moscow and Riga youth took part in the conference. The main conclusion of the participants is that there are a number of issues to be solved, however, the main problem is the lack of co-operation and dialogue in topical areas.

The Ambassador of Russia to Latvia Viktor Kaluzhniy gave an interview for the Russia’s news agency Interfax. One of the main topics of the interview was the mass non-citizenship in Latvia.

The Ambassador of Russia to Latvia Viktor Kaluzhniy gave an interview for the Russias news agency Interfax. One of the main topics of the interview was the mass non-citizenship in Latvia.