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.

• Proposed amendments to the Law on Institutions of Higher Education restrict the use of languages in private universities

The Ministry of Education proposed amendments to the Law on Institutions of Higher Education, which, if adopted, will be equally applied to state-run and private universities. The amendments envision that languages other than Latvian can be used in education process at universities in four instances: teacher is a guest lecturer; teaching foreign students; teaching foreign languages; in cultural studies. In all other instances education will be conducted in the state language. Currently, private universities are free to choose the language of instruction. Valery Nikiforov, professor of private university Baltic International Academy stated that these amendments narrow down opportunities of private universities and interfere with language use in private sphere. The amendments are seen as an attempt to lobby the interests of the state-run universities, who would like to attract foreign and minority students at the expense of private universities.

The Ministry of Education proposed amendments to the Law on Institutions of Higher Education, which, if adopted, will be equally applied to state-run and private universities. The amendments envision that languages other than Latvian can be used in education process at universities in four instances: teacher is a guest lecturer; teaching foreign students; teaching foreign languages; in cultural studies. In all other instances education will be conducted in the state language. Currently, private universities are free to choose the language of instruction. Valery Nikiforov, professor of private university Baltic International Academy stated that these amendments narrow down opportunities of private universities and interfere with language use in private sphere. The amendments are seen as an attempt to lobby the interests of the state-run universities, who would like to attract foreign and minority students at the expense of private universities. Vesti Segodnya