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.

• Head coach of Latvian national hockey team Olegs Znaroks will not go to an interview with state language inspectors
• Vesti Segodnya reports that Norway refuses to issue work permits to Latvian non-citizens equally with Latvian citizens
• Vesti Segodnya prints an article on how people can legally resist to state language inspections
• Telegraf prints opinions of several experts on the issues of racism and discrimination in Latvia
• Saeimas Legal Committee has approved in the first reading a draft law easing procedure on change of ethnicity, name and surname

The head coach of Latvian national hockey team Olegs Znaroks has stated that he will not go to an interview with state language inspectors. As reported, the State Language Centre has invited Olegs Znaroks to come to an interview in order to prove that his Latvian language skills correspond to required proficiency for coach’s post. However, Olegs Znaroks has stated that he is foreign citizen and is not obligated to prove language proficiency.

The head coach of Latvian national hockey team Olegs Znaroks has stated that he will not go to an interview with state language inspectors. As reported, the State Language Centre has invited Olegs Znaroks to come to an interview in order to prove that his Latvian language skills correspond to required proficiency for coachs post. However, Olegs Znaroks has stated that he is foreign citizen and is not obligated to prove language proficiency. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena

Vesti Segodnya reports that Norway refuses to issue work permits to Latvian non-citizens equally with Latvian citizens. According to Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, only citizens of the Common European Economic Space (CEES) can freely apply for work permits in Norway, while, non-citizens should apply for work permits according to the rules applied to non-CEES countries.

Vesti Segodnya prints an article on how people can legally resist to state language inspections. Columnist proposes persons who disagree with imposed penalties or activities of language inspectors to turn for help to the MPs who should be able to explain how penalties or protocols could be appealed. Alternatively, the MPs might request the State Language Centre to provide official explanation of too repressive activities of inspectors. Columnist also proposes to issue and spread all over Latvia special booklets with legal information explaining how to respond in case of sudden language inspection.

Telegraf prints opinions of several experts on the issues of racism and discrimination in Latvia. Head of the Afro-Latvian Association Christopher Ejugbo considers that problem of racism is very topical in Latvia. According to Mr. Ejugbo, assaults on non-white skinned people become more frequent, especially, recently, assaults were aimed at children. Analyst of the Centre for Public Policy Providus Marija Golubeva considers that the problem of indirect or hidden discrimination is especially urgent, while racism becomes more topical due to increasing number of arrivals from other countries and cultures. Academician Leo Dribins states that although Latvia is not anti-Semitic country, there are some groups of people, prints and internet portals publishing anti-Semitic materials.

Yesterday, the Saeima’s Legal Committee has approved in the first reading a draft law easing procedure on change of ethnicity, name and surname. According to the draft law, if a person wants to change ethnicity to “ethnic Latvian” s/he will not have to prove Latvian language proficiency anymore as it is required by the law currently in force.

Yesterday, the Saeimas Legal Committee has approved in the first reading a draft law easing procedure on change of ethnicity, name and surname. According to the draft law, if a person wants to change ethnicity to ethnic Latvian s/he will not have to prove Latvian language proficiency anymore as it is required by the law currently in force. Vesti Segodnya