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.

• Nationalists union gathered 10,382 signatures for proposal to finance only schools with Latvian language of instruction
• Vesti-Segodnya: the State Language Examination Department refuses to show errors in the graded copy of written exam
• NRA writes about Latvia in the context of international and European migration issues
• Russian association established in Ventspils

Nationalist’s union All for Latvia!-FF/LNIM gathered more that 10,000 signatures required to begin state-funded collection of signatures for the proposal to amend Article 112 of the Constitution, adding words “in the state language only” to the line “the State shall ensure that everyone may acquire primary and secondary education without charge”. To submit the proposal before the Parliament, signatures of 1/10th of the voters have to be collected (97,000). If required number is collected, and the Parliament declines the proposal, the same proposal would be put to the national referendum. In the meantime, the Presidential State Language Commission was not able to formulate a common opinion regarding the proposal to finance only schools with Latvian language of instruction.

Nationalists union All for Latvia!-FF/LNIM gathered more that 10,000 signatures required to begin state-funded collection of signatures for the proposal to amend Article 112 of the Constitution, adding words in the state language only to the line the State shall ensure that everyone may acquire primary and secondary education without charge. To submit the proposal before the Parliament, signatures of 1/10th of the voters have to be collected (97,000). If required number is collected, and the Parliament declines the proposal, the same proposal would be put to the national referendum. In the meantime, the Presidential State Language Commission was not able to formulate a common opinion regarding the proposal to finance only schools with Latvian language of instruction. Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

The State Language Examination Department refuses to show errors in the graded copy of written exam to the examinee. The examinee, who is required the state language certificate to work as a car driver, claims he normally speaks Latvian with colleagues, yet he failed the exams twice. The exam consists of 4 parts (reading, listening, writing, speaking) and both times he failed writing, yet the Department refuses to show him the graded copy of his written exam with errors. Without the certificate he is not able to take the job, while in order to re-take the written part he has to wait up to two months, pay the fee again, and re-take the whole 4-parts exam. The article also points that the graduates of schools with Latvian language of instruction are not required language certificates.

The State Language Examination Department refuses to show errors in the graded copy of written exam to the examinee. The examinee, who is required the state language certificate to work as a car driver, claims he normally speaks Latvian with colleagues, yet he failed the exams twice. The exam consists of 4 parts (reading, listening, writing, speaking) and both times he failed writing, yet the Department refuses to show him the graded copy of his written exam with errors. Without the certificate he is not able to take the job, while in order to re-take the written part he has to wait up to two months, pay the fee again, and re-take the whole 4-parts exam. The article also points that the graduates of schools with Latvian language of instruction are not required language certificates. Vesti-Segodnya

NRA writes about Latvia in the context of international and European migration issues. The issues of migration and asylum-seeking are most topical for the EU Mediterranean countries and Germany, which are raising the issue of EU solidarity in management of migration flows. Although Latvia is not a target country of international migration and the number of asylum applications and approvals is small compared to other countries, Latvia as a state and as a society is not ready for greater number of asylum seekers.

113 delegates took part in the founding conference of the Russian association in Ventspils (city in the West of Latvia). Participants recalled the experience of earlier Russian society, which was established in the city by intelligentsia in 1887 and existed until the WWI, discussed the usage of Russian language today, as well as elected the leadership of the new association.

113 delegates took part in the founding conference of the Russian association in Ventspils (city in the West of Latvia). Participants recalled the experience of earlier Russian society, which was established in the city by intelligentsia in 1887 and existed until the WWI, discussed the usage of Russian language today, as well as elected the leadership of the new association. Telegraf