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.

• Vladimirs Buzajevs: transition of 60% of subjects in minority schools to instruction in the state language has worsened Latvian language proficiency
• About 2,500 – 3,000 Latvian residents took Russian citizenship in 2012
• Call for opponents of the Concord Centre living outside of Riga before the municipal elections
• Conference about autonomy of Latgale
• Russia’s human rights report criticizes Latvia

 

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with ex-MP, activist of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Vladimirs Buzajevs who conducts a research about language policy inLatvia.  In particular, Mr Buzajevs researches the impact of the language policy on the results of exams of students of minority schools and their state language proficiency. Mr Buzajevs is convinced that the examination results of minority schools graduates show that introduction of bilingual education system worsened Latvian language proficiency of students. Mr Buzajevs also highlights the results of exam in Latvian language which became common to students of Latvian language and minority schools in 2012, and claims that results of minority schools graduates dropped several times comparing to previous years.

 

According to the Russia’s Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov, about 2,500 – 3,000 Latvian residents took Russian citizenship in 2012. The Ambassador believes Latvian residents choose to take Russian citizenship due to social – economic situation in Latvia and to the fact the retirement age in Russia is lower than in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

 

Vesti Segodnya reports that anonymous activists distribute trough social networks a call to the opponents of the Concord Centre who live in other areas of Latvia to register their residence in Riga in order to receive the right to vote in Riga in the forthcoming municipal elections. This, according to the activists, should “save” Riga from the Concord Centre.

 

Latvijas Avize reports about a conference devoted to the idea of autonomy of Latgale region (Easter region ofLatvia) held by the organisation “For Native Langauge.” The authors of the idea believe that autonomy of Latgale would strengthen self-determination of Latgalians and bring economic benefit to the region.

 

The Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs published its report about human rights in the EU. The report criticizes Latviafor issues regarding rights of non-citizens and Russian speaking residents. It also criticizes procession commemorating Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires in the centre of Riga. Latvijas Avize