Integration monitor
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.
May 19, 2009
- Ombudsman Romans Apsitis: Latvian legislation not only protects Latvian language but also ensures inclusion of ethnic minorities into Latvian society and observes their right to use mother tongue
- Newspapers report about grant of awards for prominent figures of Russian culture in Latvia
The Ombudsman Romans Apsitis in an interview with Latvijas Avize stated that he does not support introduction of the second state language in Latvia. The Ombudsman explains that the goal of his recent statement regarding compliance of Article 21 of the State Language Law with Latvian Constitution was to draw attention on the fact that Latvian legislation protects not only Latvian language but also ensures inclusion of ethnic minorities into Latvian society and observes their right to use mother tongue. Therefore, the Ombudsman believes that in order to ensure observation of fundamental rights of ethnic minorities the state institutions working on promotion of integration and observance of human rights (e.g. the Ombudsman Office, the Ministry of Welfare, municipal social services) should be granted the right to provide public information about fundamental rights in foreign languages and to distribute it trough mass media, booklets or other information materials.
Vesti Segodnya and Chas report several Russian NGOs and higher education establishments presented awards to prominent figures of Russian culture in Latvia.