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.

• Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens: Russian language cannot be granted status of ethnic minorities language
• Ministry of Interior has prepared the draft amendments to the rules of the Cabinet of Ministers stipulating the reduction of required level of the state language proficiency for certain professions
• Chas prints an article by the MP Janis Urbanovics on engagement of Russian speaking residents of Latvia in work of state institutions
• Vesti Segodnya reports on a visit of the MPs to the Naturalisation Board

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has stated that Russian language cannot be granted status of ethnic minorities’ language in Latvia because it contradicts Latvian legal acts. The minister believes that Russian language could be granted special status only because of the (Russian) Old Believers who resided in Latvia since XVII century. Oskars Kastens considers that at the moment, Latvia cannot afford granting Russian an official status, because implementation of such measure would require extra funding for special policy on support of Russian language and translation of all official documentation.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has stated that Russian language cannot be granted status of ethnic minorities language in Latvia because it contradicts Latvian legal acts. The minister believes that Russian language could be granted special status only because of the (Russian) Old Believers who resided in Latvia since XVII century. Oskars Kastens considers that at the moment, Latvia cannot afford granting Russian an official status, because implementation of such measure would require extra funding for special policy on support of Russian language and translation of all official documentation. Chas

The Ministry of Interior has prepared the draft amendments to the rules of the Cabinet of Ministers stipulating the reduction of required level of the state language proficiency for firemen, rank policemen and inspectors and cadets of the State Border Guards. The Ministry of Interior considers that recently adopted amendments on language proficiency requirement are too high especially in the context of existing lack of labour force in these sectors. However, the State Language Centre does not agree with the Ministry of Interior and is planning to block new amendments.

The Ministry of Interior has prepared the draft amendments to the rules of the Cabinet of Ministers stipulating the reduction of required level of the state language proficiency for firemen, rank policemen and inspectors and cadets of the State Border Guards. The Ministry of Interior considers that recently adopted amendments on language proficiency requirement are too high especially in the context of existing lack of labour force in these sectors. However, the State Language Centre does not agree with the Ministry of Interior and is planning to block new amendments. Telegraf

Chas prints an article by the MP Janis Urbanovics (The Concord Centre) on engagement of Russian speaking residents of Latvia in work of state institutions. According to the MP, prestige and popularity of work in state institutions among Russian speakers is very low and this shows that they are alienated from the state. Janis Urbanovics believes that involvement of Russians, Belorussians, Ukrainians and representatives of other ethnic minorities into the work of the state institutions would help to overcome degradation of state machinery and would promote ethnic integration.

Ex-President of Latvia Vaira Vike Freiberga, commenting formation of a new governing coalition, has stated that the government should not consist of all so-called “Latvian” parties because than opposition would consist only of “Russian” parties and that might provoke split in the society.

Ex-President of Latvia Vaira Vike Freiberga, commenting formation of a new governing coalition, has stated that the government should not consist of all so-called Latvian parties because than opposition would consist only of Russian parties and that might provoke split in the society. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports on a visit of the MPs, members of the Saeimas Human Rights Committee to the Naturalisation Board. The aim of the visit was to get acquainted with the procedures and rate of naturalisation.