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.

• Overwhelming majority of Latvian citizens voted against granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia
• Politicians and experts stress the importance to begin dialogue

Newspaper reports about the results of the national referendum on the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. 821,722 or 74,8% of citizens voted against the amendments, while 273,347 or 24,88% of citizens supported the proposal granting state language status to Russian. In total, 1,098 593 or 70,73% of citizens took part in the referendum which is the highest voters’ turnout since the Saeima’s elections in 1993. The biggest support for Russian as a state language was in Latgale region (Eastern part of Latvia): 62,369 or 44,02% voted for the amendments. The majority of citizens of the biggest cities in Latgale supported the amendments. Thus, 34,419 or 85,18% of Daugavpils’ residents, 11,395 or 85,18% Rezekne’s residents, and 1,324 or 90,25 Zilupe’s residents voted for the amendments. In Riga, the majority of citizens -193,976 or 61,59% voted against the amendments, while 119,621 or 37,98% of citizens voted in favour.

Newspaper reports about the results of the national referendum on the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. 821,722 or 74,8% of citizens voted against the amendments, while 273,347 or 24,88% of citizens supported the proposal granting state language status to Russian. In total, 1,098 593 or 70,73% of citizens took part in the referendum which is the highest voters turnout since the Saeimas elections in 1993. The biggest support for Russian as a state language was in Latgale region (Eastern part of Latvia): 62,369 or 44,02% voted for the amendments. The majority of citizens of the biggest cities in Latgale supported the amendments. Thus, 34,419 or 85,18% of Daugavpils residents, 11,395 or 85,18% Rezeknes residents, and 1,324 or 90,25 Zilupes residents voted for the amendments. In Riga, the majority of citizens -193,976 or 61,59% voted against the amendments, while 119,621 or 37,98% of citizens voted in favour. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga

Commenting the results of the referendum, the President Andris Berzins stated that it is time to begin a dialogue with each other on how to overcome suspicions, offences and misunderstanding in order to deny the radicals an opportunity to manipulate the society in the future. The Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs also stated that it is important to start dialogue between ethnic Latvians and Russian speakers and politicians must change their rhetoric in order not to aggravate ethnic tensions in the country. The majority of politicians and experts interviewed by newspapers also stressed the importance of the dialogue and integration.

Commenting the results of the referendum, the President Andris Berzins stated that it is time to begin a dialogue with each other on how to overcome suspicions, offences and misunderstanding in order to deny the radicals an opportunity to manipulate the society in the future. The Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs also stated that it is important to start dialogue between ethnic Latvians and Russian speakers and politicians must change their rhetoric in order not to aggravate ethnic tensions in the country. The majority of politicians and experts interviewed by newspapers also stressed the importance of the dialogue and integration. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena, Latvijas Avize