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.

• Court initiated a case against “SEB banka” on political discrimination
• Vesti Segodnya reports about a high demand for Russian language courses
• Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the director of the State Language Centre Maris Baltins

Following a claim of a political party For Native Language, the Riga District Court has initiated a case against a bank “SEB banka” for its refusal to open an account for the party. The bank did not explain why it refused to open the account to the party’s representatives. Leaders of the party see political discrimination in the decision of the bank, because other political parties hold accounts in this bank without any problems. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports about a high demand for Russian language courses among ethnic Latvians. According to a representative of the State Employment Agency, unemployed persons can apply for free-of-charge courses but due to a large number of interested persons and limited funding it is necessary to wait about 7-9 months for courses. Representative of a language learning centre also confirms that there is a high demand for courses and not only for free-of-charge but also for paid courses. The main motivation for learning is high demand for Russian in labour market.

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the director of the State Language Centre Maris Baltins. Mr Baltins believes when state institutions use Russian language in communication with residents those give a wrong signal to Russian speakers which says “yes you can learn the language, but in important cases we will provide you information in Russian anyway”. Such signal disturbs motivation to learn Latvian language believes Mr Baltins. At the same time, Mr Baltins sees the biggest problem in the fact that Russian speakers do not want to use Latvian language despite the fact that they are proficient in it.