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.

• Newspapers report about the visit of the Delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
• The Concord Centre considers possibilities to oppose the proposed prohibition to teach in foreign languages in private universities

Newspapers report about the visit to Latvia of a delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. Yesterday, the delegation held meetings with Latvian human rights and social integration experts as well as with representatives of municipalities and the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government, discussing the rights of non-citizens, naturalisation and language policy. The delegation repeated recommendations to grant Latvian non-citizens the right to vote in municipal elections. The head of the delegation Jean-Claude Frecon also stated that non-citizens’ right to vote in municipal elections is a common value of the Council of Europe and it should not be perceived as an issue focussed on Latvia or Russians.

Newspapers report about the visit to Latvia of a delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. Yesterday, the delegation held meetings with Latvian human rights and social integration experts as well as with representatives of municipalities and the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government, discussing the rights of non-citizens, naturalisation and language policy. The delegation repeated recommendations to grant Latvian non-citizens the right to vote in municipal elections. The head of the delegation Jean-Claude Frecon also stated that non-citizens right to vote in municipal elections is a common value of the Council of Europe and it should not be perceived as an issue focussed on Latvia or Russians. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Concord Centre considers possibilities to oppose the proposed draft Law on Higher Education Establishments, which envisages prohibition to teach in foreign languages in private universities. According to MP Boriss Cilevics (the Concord Centre), this norm represents linguistic discrimination, contradicts Latvia’s international obligations and would generate a number of court suits filed by private universities. If the present version of the draft law is adopted by the Saeima, the Concord Centre will probably file a complaint to the Constitutional court or act on the international level. He also alleges the proposed ban will benefit national-radicals, who are interested in heightening tensions in society on the eve of elections.

The Concord Centre considers possibilities to oppose the proposed draft Law on Higher Education Establishments, which envisages prohibition to teach in foreign languages in private universities. According to MP Boriss Cilevics (the Concord Centre), this norm represents linguistic discrimination, contradicts Latvias international obligations and would generate a number of court suits filed by private universities. If the present version of the draft law is adopted by the Saeima, the Concord Centre will probably file a complaint to the Constitutional court or act on the international level. He also alleges the proposed ban will benefit national-radicals, who are interested in heightening tensions in society on the eve of elections. Telegraf, Chas