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.
April 19, 2012
- State Language Centre requested Jevgenijs Osipovs to remove street sign in Latvian and Russian languages
- Study The State Language Situation 2004-2010: 75% of Russian speaking residents have good or intermediate Latvian language proficiency
- President of the Latvian Doctors Association Peteris Apinis stated that Latvia cannot insure that instructions to all medicines are translated into Russian
The State Language Centre requested Jevgenijs Osipovs to remove a street sign in Latvian and Russian languages from his house in Liepaja. According to a representative of the Centre Antons Kursitis, the street sign in foreign language violates the State Language Law and the rules of the Liepaja City Council. Mr Kursitis also believes that the street sign is not a private property and, therefore, owner of the house has no rights to translate it into foreign language. The analogue requests will be sent also to other persons who placed street signs in Latvian and Russian languages. Vesti Segodnya
According to a study The State Language Situation 2004-2010 conducted by the State Language Agency (SLA), 75% of Russian speaking residents have good or intermediate Latvian language proficiency. 94% of young Russian speakers have good state language skills. However, authors of the study note that the biggest problems concern usage of the state language in services sector and private enterprises. The SLA also criticizes the state officials and other public persons for speaking Russian to mass media as it damages prestige of Latvian language. Latvijas Avize
The President of the Latvian Doctors Association Peteris Apinis stated that Latvia cannot insure that instructions to all medicines are translated into Russian language because there are representatives of various nationalities residing in the country. Mr Apinis also stated that those who need instruction in Russian can find it on the Internet. Vesti Segodnya