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.

• Ombudsman Office appealed to the owners of Rigas night clubs calling them to treat all clients equally and to prevent any kind of discrimination
• Riga City Council adopted a decision to close 16 schools – 11 of those with Russian language of instructions
• Lawyer Andris Grutups: contest New Wave damages Latvias image
• Cabinet of Ministers set state language proficiency level for the Saeimas and municipal deputies

The Ombudsman Office appealed to the owners of Rigas night clubs calling them to treat all clients equally and to prevent any kind of discrimination. Such appeal was sent as response to a number of complaints on discrimination of foreign tourists in night clubs. According to complaints, night clubs charge higher entrance fee from foreigners as from locals, while some night clubs do not allow entrance of some persons because of their racial or ethnic belonging. Telegraf, NRA

Yesterday, the Riga City Council adopted a decision to close 16 schools during the next three years due to insufficient state funding. 10 schools will be merged with other schools by 1 September 2009. 9 of those are with Russian language of instructions. According to the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs, such disproportion between Latvian and Russian language schools is caused by lesser number of students in Russian language schools. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize, Diena

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with famous Latvian lawyer Andris Grutups. According to Mr. Grutups, international contest of young pop singers New Wave (yearly held in Jurmala by Russian organisers) damages Latvias image because it might create an impression that Latvia is a part of Russia where everyone speaks and uses Russian language. Mr. Grutups also considers that Russia uses the contest to hinder integration process in Latvia.

According to the head of the Language Control Department of the State Language Centre Antons Kursitis, the Cabinet of Ministers accepted rules on required state language proficiency level for state officials and representatives of various professions. The rules stipulate that the Saeimas deputies and deputies of municipal councils must have highest language proficiency level. Up to now, the deputies were not obliged to have any specific state language proficiency level. The rules will come into force with 1 September 2009. Mr. Kursitis states that the language inspection received complaints on municipal deputies for their poor state language skills and after 1 September these complaints will be verified. The new rules also stipulate that the board members in private enterprises must have highest state language proficiency level. Latvijas Avize