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.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Recommendations of Alvaro Gil-Robles, the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, to Latvia
• State Language Agency concept submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers
• Discussion about the possible causes of anti-Semitic acts of vandalism in Latvia
• Conflict between a Latvian language teacher and students

The First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles, who is visiting Latvia in order to prepare a report on human rights situation in Latvia for the Council of Europe, has met with Olafs Bruvers, the head of the Latvian National Human Rights Office. The First Commissioner recommended to Latvia to consider an opportunity to grant voting rights at municipal elections to non-citizens. He also recommended to grant Latvian citizenship automatically to the children born in Latvia, to ease the naturalization procedure for elderly people, and to allow to submit documents to the local governments in other languages apart from Latvian in the areas inhabited by persons belonging to minorities in substantial numbers. According to

The First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles, who is visiting Latvia in order to prepare a report on human rights situation in Latvia for the Council of Europe, has met with Olafs Bruvers, the head of the Latvian National Human Rights Office. The First Commissioner recommended to Latvia to consider an opportunity to grant voting rights at municipal elections to non-citizens. He also recommended to grant Latvian citizenship automatically to the children born in Latvia, to ease the naturalization procedure for elderly people, and to allow to submit documents to the local governments in other languages apart from Latvian in the areas inhabited by persons belonging to minorities in substantial numbers. According to Diena, Alvaro Gill-Robless has also discussed the education reform at the meeting with Karlis Shadurskis, the Minister of Education and Science. During the visit to the Secretariat of Special Task Minister for Societal Integration, the First Commissioner and Nils Muiznieks spoke about the situation of Roma in Latvia. Rigas Balss features the opinions of Latvian officials, stressing that the suggestions of Alvaro Gil-Robles are not binding for Latvia. Rigas Balss, Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

The Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a concept of the establishment of the State Language Agency, which will be responsible for the implementation of the state language policy. The Committee decided that the Agency will be under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Science. Today the Cabinet of Ministers should examine the concept. The key functions of the new body are: promotion of Latvian language development in the area of information technologies, ensuring the development of Latvian language terminology, consultations on the state language issues, and promotion and popularization of language acquisition and use.

The Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a concept of the establishment of the State Language Agency, which will be responsible for the implementation of the state language policy. The Committee decided that the Agency will be under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Science. Today the Cabinet of Ministers should examine the concept. The key functions of the new body are: promotion of Latvian language development in the area of information technologies, ensuring the development of Latvian language terminology, consultations on the state language issues, and promotion and popularization of language acquisition and use. Lauku Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the possible causes of anti-Semitic acts of vandalism in Latvia.

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the possible causes of anti-Semitic acts of vandalism in Latvia. Vechernaya Riga, referring to the statements of the parents of young delinquents, assumes thatthe real organizers of the vandalism act in the New Jewish cemetery could be the extremist organization All for Latvia. Telegraf stresses the existence of extremist organizations involved in vandalism acts, in Latvia.

Lauku Avize features an article about the conflict between a Latvian language teacher and her students in a Riga Russian language school. The students of the 12b grade refused to attend the Latvian language lessons because of the ethnic preconceptions of the teacher. The school principal and other grades students believe that accusations against the teacher are unjust.