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.

• Interview with the Integration Minister
• Comments on the establishment of the working group to develop legal norms which would regulate the use of the state language in private universities

Vesti Segodnya interviews Ainars Latkovskis, Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration. The Minister argues that in comparison to the situations in the field of ethnic integration in other European countries, such as Sweden, the Netherlands and the UK, Latvia is doing rather well. However, he admits that lately there have been individual manifestations of racism in Latvia as well. The Minister explains that ‘for decades in Latvia there were only people who belong to the white race, the Christian world, who share the same values… when people from different cultures, representing different religions and skin colour started to came to Latvia and even settle down not all people were able to accept such changes. He believes that in this situation the state, first of all, should propagate tolerance, especially among young people, and, second, take strong measures against people who express their intolerance. Further the Minister reports that the Ministry has started to update the National Programme for Integration of Society and promises to invite representatives of Russian NGOs to take part in this process. However, he notes that the Ministry co-operates with ethnic NGOs and not with extreme organisations. He strongly believes that Latvia is not the two-community country. The Minister also stresses that the state is not interested in assimilation and will not force anybody to assimilate. He concludes that the top priority of the government and politicians is to solve social issues in Latvia.

Chas looks into the plans of the working group under the auspices of the Education Ministry, which announced about the development of the amendments that would regulate the use of the state languages at private universities. The newspaper talks to a number of representatives of private universities. They are concerned that such regulations would stop applications from international students who do not have any Latvian language skills. The representatives also note that there is a lack of literature in Latvian in some specific programmes. While the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Education states that there will be no hurry with the adoption of such norms and they will be discussed in detail.