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.

• Rectors of the biggest Latvian universities call to stop monopoly of Latvian language in state higher education establishments
• Adoption of the state budget for 2010 most probably will be accompanied by aggressive ethnic rhetoric because the Citizenship Law will have to be amended
• Number of working permits issued in 2009 to guest workers decreased significantly

Rectors of the biggest Latvian universities call to stop monopoly of Latvian language in state higher education establishments. Rector of the University of Latvia Marcis Auzins believes that the Latvian State Language Law became an “iron curtain” which hinders development of the country as a whole and higher education in particularly. Mr. Auzins   considers that studies in Russian language would attract many students from former Soviet Union republics who speak Russian. Mr. Auzins also criticizes requirement for highest level of state language proficiency for candidates for the post of the professor of the university because it hinders attraction of foreign professors for permanent work in Latvia. According the rector of the Stradina University Jans Gardovskis, it is absurd that local students can receive education in state higher education establishments only in Latvian language. Mr. Gardovskis believes that the university could gain good income if local students who want to study in Russian in paid groups would have such chance.

Rectors of the biggest Latvian universities call to stop monopoly of Latvian language in state higher education establishments. Rector of the University of Latvia Marcis Auzins believes that the Latvian State Language Law became an iron curtain which hinders development of the country as a whole and higher education in particularly. Mr. Auzins considers that studies in Russian language would attract many students from former Soviet Union republics who speak Russian. Mr. Auzins also criticizes requirement for highest level of state language proficiency for candidates for the post of the professor of the university because it hinders attraction of foreign professors for permanent work in Latvia. According the rector of the Stradina University Jans Gardovskis, it is absurd that local students can receive education in state higher education establishments only in Latvian language. Mr. Gardovskis believes that the university could gain good income if local students who want to study in Russian in paid groups would have such chance. Vesti Segodnya

According to the newspapers, adoption of the state budget for 2010 most probably will be accompanied by aggressive ethnic rhetoric because the Citizenship Law will have to be amended in order to reorganise the Naturalisation Board. The Citizenship Law has not been amended since 1998. Representatives of the Saeima’s Latvian nationalistic party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM and so-called “pro-Russian” parties For Human Rights in United Latvia and the Concord Centre interviewed by the newspapers stated that probably they will prepare various amendments to the citizenship law and submit them for revision in the Saeima.

According to the newspapers, adoption of the state budget for 2010 most probably will be accompanied by aggressive ethnic rhetoric because the Citizenship Law will have to be amended in order to reorganise the Naturalisation Board. The Citizenship Law has not been amended since 1998. Representatives of the Saeimas Latvian nationalistic party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM and so-called pro-Russian parties For Human Rights in United Latvia and the Concord Centre interviewed by the newspapers stated that probably they will prepare various amendments to the citizenship law and submit them for revision in the Saeima. Telegraf, Diena, NRA

Number of working permits issued to guest workers in Latvia in 2009 decreased almost three times comparing to 2008 and 2007. 993 working permits were issued during 9 months of 2009 as compared to 3113 permits issued in 2007. According to a representative of the State Employment Agency, the main reason for little demand for guest workers is hard economical situation in the country and decrease in manufacturing and services sectors.

Number of working permits issued to guest workers in Latvia in 2009 decreased almost three times comparing to 2008 and 2007. 993 working permits were issued during 9 months of 2009 as compared to 3113 permits issued in 2007. According to a representative of the State Employment Agency, the main reason for little demand for guest workers is hard economical situation in the country and decrease in manufacturing and services sectors. Telegraf