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.

• Vesti Segodnya reports about the development of initiative placing street signs in two languages
• Latvian Language Agency: there is no need to change principles of Latvianisation of non-Latvian names
• MP Andrejs Judins: proposal for ethnic Latvian families to host children from Russian speaking families did not get high response yet

Following initiative of an activist of an NGO “Native Langauge” Jevgenijs Osipovs, other organisation’s activist Illarions Girs put a street sign in Latvian and Russian languages on apartment building in Riga where he lives. However, shortly after, the house manager and the municipal police removed the street sign. The rules of the Riga City Council say that street signs should be only in Latvian language, although Mr Girs believes that it is legal to put street signs also in minority language and plans to appeal the decision to remove the sign he placed.

Following initiative of an activist of an NGO Native Langauge Jevgenijs Osipovs, other organisations activist Illarions Girs put a street sign in Latvian and Russian languages on apartment building in Riga where he lives. However, shortly after, the house manager and the municipal police removed the street sign. The rules of the Riga City Council say that street signs should be only in Latvian language, although Mr Girs believes that it is legal to put street signs also in minority language and plans to appeal the decision to remove the sign he placed. Vesti Segodnya

The Latvian Language Agency believes that spelling of non-Latvian names according to Latvian language grammar is one of the ancient language laws and there is no need to change it.  Latvianisation of names is justified by the principle of correct pronunciation of non-Latvian names. Adding endings (-s for male names, -a, -e for female) to non-Latvian names is necessary for designation of gender.

The Latvian Language Agency believes that spelling of non-Latvian names according to Latvian language grammar is one of the ancient language laws and there is no need to change it. Latvianisation of names is justified by the principle of correct pronunciation of non-Latvian names. Adding endings (-s for male names, -a, -e for female) to non-Latvian names is necessary for designation of gender. Vesti Segodnya, www.diena.lv (04.04.2012)

According to the MP Andrejs Judins (the Unity), his proposal for ethnic Latvian families to host for a while children from Russian speaking families did not get high response yet. At present there are couple of dozens of families who are ready to take part in such initiative. Mr Judins believes that in such way ethnic non-Latvian children will be introduced with ethnic Latvian traditions and other issues thus promoting integration. Mr Judins considers that Russian speaking families could do the same and host ethnic Latvian children.

According to the MP Andrejs Judins (the Unity), his proposal for ethnic Latvian families to host for a while children from Russian speaking families did not get high response yet. At present there are couple of dozens of families who are ready to take part in such initiative. Mr Judins believes that in such way ethnic non-Latvian children will be introduced with ethnic Latvian traditions and other issues thus promoting integration. Mr Judins considers that Russian speaking families could do the same and host ethnic Latvian children. Telegraf