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.

• Saeimas commissions will review draft amendments stipulating criminal liability for taking naturalisation exams for the actual applicant
• Seminar on effective participation of parents in the education policy in schools of national minorities
• Diena prints an article about kindergartens experiences with children of various ethnic backgrounds

Yesterday, the Saeima forwarded to its commissions draft amendments to the Criminal Law developed by For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM. The draft amendments stipulate that persons who take the naturalisation exams for actual naturalisation applicants will be hold criminally liable. For the offence, the draft amendments provide the penalty of two years of imprisonment, or community work or a fine up to 50 times the minimum wage.

Yesterday, the Saeima forwarded to its commissions draft amendments to the Criminal Law developed by For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM. The draft amendments stipulate that persons who take the naturalisation exams for actual naturalisation applicants will be hold criminally liable. For the offence, the draft amendments provide the penalty of two years of imprisonment, or community work or a fine up to 50 times the minimum wage. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

The NGO “Humanitarian Perspective” in cooperation with the Baltic American Partnership Foundation held a seminar on effective participation of parents in the education policy in schools of national minorities. Teachers, students and their parents from Russian-language schools, and experts took part in the seminar. Participants concluded that parents have very few opportunities to influence the education system. The main obstacle in their view is the lack of will of school administrations to cooperate with parents and receive their suggestions or criticism. One of parents stated, “the directors do not want to go against the official system and to risk with their jobs.”

The NGO Humanitarian Perspective in cooperation with the Baltic American Partnership Foundation held a seminar on effective participation of parents in the education policy in schools of national minorities. Teachers, students and their parents from Russian-language schools, and experts took part in the seminar. Participants concluded that parents have very few opportunities to influence the education system. The main obstacle in their view is the lack of will of school administrations to cooperate with parents and receive their suggestions or criticism. One of parents stated, the directors do not want to go against the official system and to risk with their jobs. Vesti Segodnya

Diena prints an article about children of various ethnic backgrounds in kindergartens in Latvia. A representative of a kindergarten states that children do not differentiate other children according to their ethnicity and colour of skin and do not have any problems making friends. A representative of the kindergarten Mazulis Ru argues Children notice that other children are different, but do not categorise them as better or worse. Parents are the ones who create these categories. A staff member of a kindergarten Pasacina shares positive experiences regarding implementation of the EU project on the integration of Romani children in mainstream groups, at first some Latvian and Russian parents were worried about the project, however children friendly accepted the newcomers. Diena (30.03)