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 Sokolovs: the National Minorities Consultative Council of the President of Latvia has to be restored
• Working group proposed to merge the State Language Centre and the State Language Agency

Chas interviews Vladimirs Sokolovs, leader of NGOs Union of Citizens and Non-citizens and Citizenship. Culture. Education, who recently took part in PACE conference on challenges of diversity and migration facing European democracies and measures to improve the democratic participation of migrants. Various forms of minority participation, such as voting rights in municipal elections, special minority councils, as well as representation in mainstream political parties, were proposed during the conference. Mr.Sokolovs believes that in Latvia, the work of various minority participation councils (such as councils in municipalities and the National Minorities Consultative Council of the President of Latvia) has to be renewed and its effectiveness improved. He stated that representation of minorities in Latvian political parties also needs to be addressed, including in party and election lists, leadership, party programmes and voting decisions on minority-sensitive issues.

Yesterday, a draft concept of optimisation of work of institutions responsible for language policy in Latvia was announced at the State Secretaries’ meeting. In order to optimise the usage of administrative resources, the working group of the Ministry of Justice proposed to merge the State Language Centre and the State Language Agency.

Yesterday, a draft concept of optimisation of work of institutions responsible for language policy in Latvia was announced at the State Secretaries meeting. In order to optimise the usage of administrative resources, the working group of the Ministry of Justice proposed to merge the State Language Centre and the State Language Agency. Vesti Segodnya