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.

Feb. 15, 2012

  • Voter turnout at the referendum on 18 February expected to be high
  • Leader of an NGO Native Language Vladimirs Lindermans: referendum will not be considered as failure anyway
  • Latvian Language Agency presented study Language Situation in Latvia: 2004-2010
  • Ministry of Justice: preservation and cultivation of Latvian languages Latgalian dialect is very important issue for nation of ethnic Latvians

According to an opinion poll conducted by the Centre of Public Opinion and Market Studies, 85 % of Latvian citizens are planning to take part in the national referendum on the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. As reported, the referendum will be conducted on 18 February. Chas

Leader of an NGO Native Language, one of the initiators of the referendum on status of Russian language Vladimirs Lindermans in an interview with Chas states that even if the majority of Latvian citizens does not support the referendum it will not be considered as a failure. Mr Lindermans believes that Russian community formulated its position reflected in the referendum and ethnic Latvian will have to take it into consideration. Mr Lindermans believes that the referendum is only the beginning of discussions about status of Russian language.

The Latvian Language Agency (LLA) presented its study Language Situation in Latvia: 2004-2010. According to one of the studys conclusions, although the state language proficiency of ethnic minorities has sufficiently improved, they avoid to use it in the society. The study highlights that the improvement of the state language proficiency is mostly achieved by various administrative requirements for usage of Latvian rather than of personal interest. According to the head of the (LLA) Janis Valdmanis, the biggest problem for the future of Latvian language is more frequent usage of different foreign languages in Latvia instead of state language. Neatkariga

According to the Ministry of Justice (MJ), preservation and cultivation of Latvian languages Latgalian dialect and development of written Latgalian is very important issue for nation of ethnic Latvians. Therefore, this issue is a priority for the MJ and the State Language Centre. According to the MJ, every state and municipal institution, as well as every person in communication with Latgalians should respect the identity of this part of ethnic Latvian nation. Latvijas Avize

E-mail subscription
  • Integration Monitor - daily Latvian press digest on minority and social integration issues

Search

From To
Submit