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.

• 28% of Latvian citizens consider Russian language as their mother tongue
• Russian Policy Centre has awarded honorary diplomas for strengthening relations and friendship between Russians and Latvians
• Ministry of Education and Science is planning to implement a program in primary schools on the prevention of racism
• Administrative Regional Court turned down a complaint by a former teacher of Russian challenging the decision of the State Language Centre

According to the latest poll of the European Commission’s Public Opinion Analysis “Eurobarometer” 28 % of Latvian citizens consider Russian language as their native language, an increase by 4 % compared to the previously conducted official polls. The poll also showed that only 1% of citizens have native language other than Russian or Latvian.

According to the latest poll of the European Commissions Public Opinion Analysis Eurobarometer 28 % of Latvian citizens consider Russian language as their native language, an increase by 4 % compared to the previously conducted official polls. The poll also showed that only 1% of citizens have native language other than Russian or Latvian. Chas

Yesterday, the delegation of the Russian Policy Centre awarded Janis Urbanovics, the Head of the NGO “Baltic Forum” and several representatives from the Russian community in Latvia with honorary diplomas for strengthening relations and friendship between Russians and Latvians. The representative of the Russian Foreign Policy Centre Tatyana Poloskova stated that Russia knows about the problems of Russian speaking residents in Latvia and will continue to assist them. “Russians in Latvia have helped to build this country and they have the right to live here”, said Tatyana Poloskova.

Yesterday, the delegation of the Russian Policy Centre awarded Janis Urbanovics, the Head of the NGO Baltic Forum and several representatives from the Russian community in Latvia with honorary diplomas for strengthening relations and friendship between Russians and Latvians. The representative of the Russian Foreign Policy Centre Tatyana Poloskova stated that Russia knows about the problems of Russian speaking residents in Latvia and will continue to assist them. Russians in Latvia have helped to build this country and they have the right to live here, said Tatyana Poloskova. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The Ministry of Education and Science is planning to implement a program in primary schools on the prevention of racism. The Ministry considers that racism, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism can be prevented in the Latvian society only when students will study more history, literature, philosophy, ethics, culture, religion, and other arts subjects.

The Ministry of Education and Science is planning to implement a program in primary schools on the prevention of racism. The Ministry considers that racism, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism can be prevented in the Latvian society only when students will study more history, literature, philosophy, ethics, culture, religion, and other arts subjects. Chas

Yesterday, the Administrative Regional Court turned down the complaint of the Jurmala City Council deputy and ex-teacher of the Russian language and literature Zanna Kupcika challenging the decision of the State Language Centre on filing an administrative protocol and imposing a fine. As reported, in November 2004 during the Latvian language proficiency inspection in one of the Jurmala city Russian language schools, the inspectors of the State Language Centre filed an administrative protocol on Zanna Kupcika for refusal to speak with the inspectors. Kupcika is confident that the inspectors did not have the right to test her language proficiency skills and is planning to appeal the decision to a higher court.

Yesterday, the Administrative Regional Court turned down the complaint of the Jurmala City Council deputy and ex-teacher of the Russian language and literature Zanna Kupcika challenging the decision of the State Language Centre on filing an administrative protocol and imposing a fine. As reported, in November 2004 during the Latvian language proficiency inspection in one of the Jurmala city Russian language schools, the inspectors of the State Language Centre filed an administrative protocol on Zanna Kupcika for refusal to speak with the inspectors. Kupcika is confident that the inspectors did not have the right to test her language proficiency skills and is planning to appeal the decision to a higher court. Chas, Vesti Segodnya