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.

• State Language Centre forbade distribution of Rezekne municipal newspaper in Russian language in public places
• Vesti Segodnya reports that the Cabinet of Ministers adopted new Regulations on the standards of elementary education
• Russian compatriots from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia discussed how to preserve Russian schools
• Saeima plans to review a draft law on the status of WWII veterans

The State Language Centre (SLC) forbade the Rezekne City Council from distributing a municipal newspaper in Russian language in public places. The newspaper is available in two languages – Latvian and Russian. The SLC believes that the availability of the newspaper “forced” the residents to receive information in foreign language. At the same time, the municipal newspaper could still be received through post service, because private post boxes are not the public space. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the new rules on the standards of elementary education (grades 1-9) in state funded schools. Among other, the Regulations envisage that the aims of the ethnic minority education are to ensure state (Latvian) language learning in order to be able to continue education in state language; promote integrated learning of education content and state language; to ensure balanced learning of all subjects related to education; to promote integration of student in the Latvian society; to support learning of ethnic minority culture. The Rules also envisage 4 patterns of education programs for ethnic minority schools and give opportunity for schools to create its own 5th pattern for deeper learning of minority culture. However, the proportion of education in minority language or bilingually and in state language should not exceed 40/60% in this pattern for grades 6-9. The patterns envisage 5 hours of Latvian language classes per week and 3 hours of native language classes per week for grades 7-9. The newspaper states that the transfer of 60% of subjects in minority secondary schools in 2004 resulted in lower quality of education and sees the new Regulations adverse action on Russian language schools in Latvia.

Vesti Segodnya reports about a conference of Russian compatriots from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia discussing education in Russian language. The participants of the conference discussed the problem of decreasing native language proportion in education and measures to be taken in order to preserve Russian schools.

The Saeima plans to review a draft law on the status of WWII veterans on 25 September. Elaboration of the draft law was initiated by the President of Latvia Andris Berzins 2,5 years ago with an aim of reconciliation of Latvian veterans who fought on the opposite sides during the WWII. The Saeima’s Society Consolidation Committee was entrusted with elaborating the draft. However, the Saeima will review an alternative draft law, which was submitted to the Saeima’s Human Rights Committee by organisations representing former Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires. According to their draft law, the status of WWII veteran could be granted only to those veterans who were Latvian citizens in 1940 and served in the regular military forces of the Soviet Union or the Nazi Germany. Thus, for instance, non-citizens and those who obtained Latvian citizenship through naturalisation could not be granted status of WWII veteran. Vesti Segodnya