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.

• The Concord Centre has repeatedly drafted a bill stipulating granting status of public holiday to Orthodox Christmas
• Telegraf reports that 20 teacher assistants will start working in classes with Roma pupils on 1 September 2008
• Inspectors of the State Language Centre have fined three medical nurses for insufficient usage of Latvian language
• According to a study conducted by the State Language Agency, number of Russian speaking residents of Latvia who use Latvian language has grown during the past 10 years
• Chas prints an article by the member of political party For Human Rights in United Latvia Viktors Guscins on merger of Russian parties in Latvia

The Concord Centre has repeatedly drafted a bill stipulating granting status of public holiday to Orthodox Christmas on 6 and 7 January. The Saeima will review the bill today.

The Concord Centre has repeatedly drafted a bill stipulating granting status of public holiday to Orthodox Christmas on 6 and 7 January. The Saeima will review the bill today. Chas, Telegraf

Telegraf reports that 20 teacher assistants will start working in classes with Roma pupils on 1 September 2008 in the framework of the national Roma integration programme elaborated by the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration. The assistants (ethnic Roma) will help children to learn the new education subjects and to complete homework. Also the assistants will visit those Roma families who prevent children from going to school or do not control education of their children, informing about the importance of education.

In January, the inspectors of the State Language Centre have fined three medical nurses for insufficient usage of Latvian language at work. 

In January, the inspectors of the State Language Centre have fined three medical nurses for insufficient usage of Latvian language at work. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

According to a study conducted by the State Language Agency, number of Russian speaking residents of Latvia who use Latvian language has grown during the past 10 years, while usage of Russian language by ethnic Latvian has fallen. The study shows that 60% of Russian speakers have good state language proficiency and only 7% of respondents do not know Latvia at all.

According to a study conducted by the State Language Agency, number of Russian speaking residents of Latvia who use Latvian language has grown during the past 10 years, while usage of Russian language by ethnic Latvian has fallen. The study shows that 60% of Russian speakers have good state language proficiency and only 7% of respondents do not know Latvia at all. Telegraf

Chas prints an article by the member of political party For Human Rights in United Latvia Viktors Guscins on merger of Russian parties in Latvia. Mr. Guscins believes that the biggest so-called pro-Russian parties – the Concord Centre, FHRUL and Socialistic party should run for elections to the municipal elections in 2009 within one election list. Mr. Guscins believes that Russian parties should merge with an aim to stop national radicals in Latvia.