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.

• President Vaira Vike-Freiberga did not promulgate the amendments to the Law on Radio and Television
• Activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools in Latvia will run for municipal elections
• Study on the usage of languages in the television and radio presented
• Diena follows the implementation of the education reform at minority schools in practice
• Conference on the relations between Latvia and Russia took place on Friday in Riga

The President Vaira Vike-Freiberga did not promulgate the amendments to the Law on Radio and Television which foresee that the Cabinet of Ministers has the right to set specific provisions concerning the usage of the language of broadcasting if the usage of the state language is endangered or restricted in the territory of a respective broadcaster.  The President believes that the amendments contradict the Law on the Cabinet of Ministers, which provides that the government may issue normative acts only if the main directions of the provisions’ context are defined in the authorisation provided by the law. According to the President, the authorisation is too broad, which enables the government to issue respective legal norms. While

The President Vaira Vike-Freiberga did not promulgate the amendments to the Law on Radio and Television which foresee that the Cabinet of Ministers has the right to set specific provisions concerning the usage of the language of broadcasting if the usage of the state language is endangered or restricted in the territory of a respective broadcaster. The President believes that the amendments contradict the Law on the Cabinet of Ministers, which provides that the government may issue normative acts only if the main directions of the provisions context are defined in the authorisation provided by the law. According to the President, the authorisation is too broad, which enables the government to issue respective legal norms. While Vesti Segodnya reports that the President also noted the state language should be protected with other means and without intervention into private businesses. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, NRA

The activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis is the first candidate on the list of candidates running for municipal elections from the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia. Jurijs Petropavlosvkis is a Latvian non-citizen and according to Latvian legislation does not have the right to run for municipal elections. The leader of FHRUL Tatyana Zdanoka believes that about 15-20% and not only Russians but also Latvians will support FHRUL in Riga.

The activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis is the first candidate on the list of candidates running for municipal elections from the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia. Jurijs Petropavlosvkis is a Latvian non-citizen and according to Latvian legislation does not have the right to run for municipal elections. The leader of FHRUL Tatyana Zdanoka believes that about 15-20% and not only Russians but also Latvians will support FHRUL in Riga. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

The presentation of the study ‘Language Use in Latvian Radio and Television: Legislation and Practice’ conducted in the framework of studies funded by the public policy Providus took place on Friday. The author of the study, former researcher of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Signe Martisune has come to conclusions that restrictions set on the usage of minority languages do not foster integration.

The presentation of the study ‘Language Use in Latvian Radio and Television: Legislation and Practice conducted in the framework of studies funded by the public policy Providus took place on Friday. The author of the study, former researcher of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Signe Martisune has come to conclusions that restrictions set on the usage of minority languages do not foster integration. Chas

Diena follows the implementation of the education reform and visits one of minority school in Bauska (the Southern part of Latvia). Although the school, students and teachers admit that there are several problems, in general the minority school in Bauska is successfully implementing the reform.

The conference on the relations between Latvia and Russia took place on Friday in Riga. The majority of participants concluded that Russia although have lost her former influence continues to form relations with the Baltic countries on Russia’s former positions therefore a successful dialogue is not achievable.

The conference on the relations between Latvia and Russia took place on Friday in Riga. The majority of participants concluded that Russia although have lost her former influence continues to form relations with the Baltic countries on Russias former positions therefore a successful dialogue is not achievable. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya