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.

• Conference Russian-speaking residents in the EU: occupational and social integration
• NGOs appeal to use Russian language in public information
• Two FHRUL representatives present a study on minority rights in Latvia
• Chief of the Security Police about extreme groupings in Latvia
• PACE report on the usage of native language in European schools

The members of the European Russian Alliance, including representatives from Latvia, are taking part in a two-day conference “Russian-speaking residents in the EU: occupational and social integration” held in Brussels. The participants will discuss the integration of Russian-speaking residents in various European countries.

The members of the European Russian Alliance, including representatives from Latvia, are taking part in a two-day conference Russian-speaking residents in the EU: occupational and social integration held in Brussels. The participants will discuss the integration of Russian-speaking residents in various European countries. Chas

In a letter addressed to Latvian entrepreneurs, the Union of Russian entrepreneurs in Latvia and several Latvian NGOs appeal to use Russian language in public information. The authors state that offering public information in Russian would demonstrate a respect towards a large part of clients: “about 40% of Latvian residents are the members of Russian cultural and language community… However, Russian language is rarely used in public information… The situation can be improved by taking an advantage of the rights stipulated by the domestic legislation to reproduce texts both in Latvian and Russian.”

In a letter addressed to Latvian entrepreneurs, the Union of Russian entrepreneurs in Latvia and several Latvian NGOs appeal to use Russian language in public information. The authors state that offering public information in Russian would demonstrate a respect towards a large part of clients: about 40% of Latvian residents are the members of Russian cultural and language community… However, Russian language is rarely used in public information… The situation can be improved by taking an advantage of the rights stipulated by the domestic legislation to reproduce texts both in Latvian and Russian. Chas, Vesti Segodnya,

At the press-conference held at the Latvian Human Rights Committee, a MP Vladimirs Buzajevs (FHRUL) and a member of the Riga City Council Genadijs Kotovs (FHRUL) presented their study on minority rights in Latvia. According to them, the unemployment rate among Russian-speaking residents is 30% higher than among Latvians. They argue that the lack of Latvian language proficiency and occupational restrictions for non-citizens are the main reasons of this inequality.   

At the press-conference held at the Latvian Human Rights Committee, a MP Vladimirs Buzajevs (FHRUL) and a member of the Riga City Council Genadijs Kotovs (FHRUL) presented their study on minority rights in Latvia. According to them, the unemployment rate among Russian-speaking residents is 30% higher than among Latvians. They argue that the lack of Latvian language proficiency and occupational restrictions for non-citizens are the main reasons of this inequality. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

In an interview with

In an interview with Chas, the Chief of the Security Police (SP) Janis Reiniks has stated that the SP observes the activities of various extreme groupings in Latvia: we observe and evaluate provocative public statements which could be treated as the incitement to national hatred and then we decide whether to ask the Prosecutors Office to initiate a criminal process. Janis Reiniks has noted that several young people are already on trial, mostly for the statements published in the Internet. Janis Reiniks has also stated that there are only few extreme groupings in Latvia, and the total number of their active members does not exceed 100 persons.

The French representative in the PACE (the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) Jacques Legendre has prepared a report on the usage of native language in European schools. The report includes information on the situation on minority education reform in Latvia. According to the representative from Latvia in the PACE Boriss Cilevics (the Concord Centre) whose recommendations were included in the report, Jacques Legendre points to the necessity for schools not only to teach the state language, but also to develop and preserve students` native language.

The French representative in the PACE (the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) Jacques Legendre has prepared a report on the usage of native language in European schools. The report includes information on the situation on minority education reform in Latvia. According to the representative from Latvia in the PACE Boriss Cilevics (the Concord Centre) whose recommendations were included in the report, Jacques Legendre points to the necessity for schools not only to teach the state language, but also to develop and preserve students` native language. Vesti Segodnya