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.

Press Review

Russian Foreign Ministry last Friday released its statement on the State Language Law regulations saying that the draft regulations “are directed towards deepening of the restrictive nature of the language legislation”. A “detailed analyses of the situation allows to make a conclusion that Latvia and Estonia continue to violate their international obligations”.

Russian Foreign Ministry last Friday released its statement on the State Language Law regulations saying that the draft regulations are directed towards deepening of the restrictive nature of the language legislation. A detailed analyses of the situation allows to make a conclusion that Latvia and Estonia continue to violate their international obligations.

Latvian Foreign Ministry in the answer to this statement said that “society integration is the priority of the Latvian government and corresponding to Latvia’s integration in Europe it is a transparent and inclusive policy.

Latvian Foreign Ministry in the answer to this statement said that society integration is the priority of the Latvian government and corresponding to Latvias integration in Europe it is a transparent and inclusive policy. Chas, Diena, Panorama Latvii

Russian Foreign Ministry believes that the recent announcements of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel on human rights situation in Estonia and Latvia are not objective, and the language situation in Estonia and Latvia constantly worsens. This announcement refers to Mr. Van der Stoel’s speech at the meeting of the OSCE Council where the situation of ethnic minorities in Estonia and Latvia was discussed. Russian Foreign Ministry states that the amendments to the language law do not solve the problems with using Russian in private companies. “Several OSCE countries constantly refuse to observe the opinion of ethnic minorities in Estonia and Latvia and their protests, as well as documents that restrict the language, culture, social and political rights of residents who do not belong to the indigenous people.”

Russian Foreign Ministry believes that the recent announcements of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel on human rights situation in Estonia and Latvia are not objective, and the language situation in Estonia and Latvia constantly worsens. This announcement refers to Mr. Van der Stoels speech at the meeting of the OSCE Council where the situation of ethnic minorities in Estonia and Latvia was discussed. Russian Foreign Ministry states that the amendments to the language law do not solve the problems with using Russian in private companies. Several OSCE countries constantly refuse to observe the opinion of ethnic minorities in Estonia and Latvia and their protests, as well as documents that restrict the language, culture, social and political rights of residents who do not belong to the indigenous people. Neatkariga