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.

• Discussion “Preschools education in Latvian language only. Needless, too early or the last moment?” held in Riga
• Latvian Human Rights Committee presented “The List of Differences in Rights of Citizens and Non-citizens”

Latvijas Avize reports about a discussion “Preschools education in Latvian language only. Needless, too early or the last moment?” organised by internet portal “politika.lv” The Minister of Education and Science Vjaceslavs Dombrovskis, representative of the nationalists’ union, head of the Saeima’s Education committee Ina Druviete, and other experts took part in the discussion. Participants of the discussion negotiated about the proposal of the nationalists’ union “All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM” to transfer education in all state funded kindergartens into Latvian language only.  The majority of the participants criticized such proposal but stressed that it is important to increase the number of hours of Latvian language learning. The Minister Dombrovskis did not support the proposal referring to scientific point of view that until the age of 12 it is better for children to study in their native language. The Minister also stated that transition of education into Latvian language most likely would increase ethnic tensions in the society. Researcher of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Sigita Zankovska-Odiņa stated that the language reform of minority secondary schools in 2004 radicalised the society. Mrs Zankovska-Odina also stressed that the closure of Russian language kindergartens would be a violation of the Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities.

Vesti Segodnya reports about presentation of a second research by the Latvian Human Rights Committee “The List of Differences in Rights of Citizens and Non-citizens” presented on 15 October in Riga. According of a representative of the Committee Natalja Jolkina, the list of differences is transforming constantly – some differences get cancelled, some expire, but instead of the old ones are added new ones. During last three years four differences got cancelled, while, five new got added. In total since 1991, when part of Latvian residents were granted status of non-citizens, 60 differences got cancelled, however, 80 differences still exist today.