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.

• PACE closed post-monitoring dialogue with Latvia
• Member of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vasiliy Lihachov criticizes Latvia for the situation of ethnic minorities in the country
• Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Minister of Education Baiba Rivza and the Director of the State General Education Evaluation Agency Evija Papule

Yesterday, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) accepted the report of the Bureau of the PACE on the situation of ethnic minorities in Latvia and closed the post-monitoring dialogue. The Head of the Latvian delegation to the PACE Andris Berzins stated that the PACE’s decision shows that Latvia is a democratic state.

Yesterday, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) accepted the report of the Bureau of the PACE on the situation of ethnic minorities in Latvia and closed the post-monitoring dialogue. The Head of the Latvian delegation to the PACE Andris Berzins stated that the PACEs decision shows that Latvia is a democratic state. Chas, Vesti Segodny, Diena

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the representative of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vasiliy Lihachov who visited Latvia in the framework of the Russian delegation last week. Vasiliy Lihachov criticized Latvia for large number of non-citizens and the situation of ethnic minorities. Mr. Lihachov stated that relations between Latvia and Russia would improve only when the problems of Russian-speaking residents in Latvia are solved.

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Minister of Education Baiba Rivza and the Director of the State General Education Evaluation Agency Evija Papule. Evija Papule stated that monitoring over implementation of the education reform in minority schools shows that academic achievement of students subjected to the reform are at the same level as the respective academic achievements of students who were not subjected to the reform. Baiba Rivza stated that monitoring reveals that minority school students have very good achievements and in several areas they are even better than students who attend schools with Latvian as main language of instruction.