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.

• Diena: it is wrong to compare situation in Latvia with European countries which have several official state languages
• Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs: local governments should promote naturalisation and Latvian language learning
• MP Janis Adamsons: Latvia should fully implement the Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe

Experts interviewed by

Experts interviewed by Diena believe that it is wrong to compare situation in Latvia with European countries which have several official state languages. Philologist, the MP Ina Druviete (Unity) believes that it is not proper to compare Latvia for example with Finland, Belgium or Ireland due to different historical background of why these countries have several state languages. Political scientist Marija Golubeva considers that ethnic Latvians associate usage of Russian language in public sphere with the Soviet Union. Mrs Golubeva also believes that collection of signatures in support of granting Russian language status of state language in Latvia was provoked by activities of the nationalists union All for Latvia!-FF/LNIM and the Unity trying to achieve that only Latvian language is used in the public sphere.

At the congress of the Concord Centre’s municipal deputies, the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs stated that the local governments should be an example to the state government showing that every resident regardless of his/her ethnic background or language is treated equally. Mr Usakovs stated that the local governments should promote naturalisation and Latvian language learning and spotlighted Riga as an example providing free-of-charge state language courses to its residents.

At the congress of the Concord Centres municipal deputies, the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs stated that the local governments should be an example to the state government showing that every resident regardless of his/her ethnic background or language is treated equally. Mr Usakovs stated that the local governments should promote naturalisation and Latvian language learning and spotlighted Riga as an example providing free-of-charge state language courses to its residents. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

MP Janis Adamsons (Concord Centre) in an interview with

MP Janis Adamsons (Concord Centre) in an interview with Neatkariga states that situation around language issues in Latvia, could be solved by fully implementing the Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe. Mr Adamsons believes that thus Russian language could be used in regions densely populated by Russian speakers as well as Latgalian language in Latgale region (Easter part of Latvia). Mr Adamsons believes that actually these languages are already used in communication with municipal institutions but this situation should be officially acknowledged.