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.

• MP Valerijs Kravcovs will not to stand in the up-coming Saeimas elections
• Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs: concentration on ethnic issues hinders economic development
• Vesti Segodnya reports about a round table discussion Rights and Suppression of Russian Language in Latvia

The MP Valerijs Kravcovs (the Concord Centre) decided not to stand in the up-coming Saeima’s elections. As reported, Valerijs Kravcovs is known as an MP with poor Latvian proficiency.

The MP Valerijs Kravcovs (the Concord Centre) decided not to stand in the up-coming Saeimas elections. As reported, Valerijs Kravcovs is known as an MP with poor Latvian proficiency. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

According to the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs (the Concord Centre (CC)), concentration on ethnic issues hinders economic development of the country. Therefore, the CC proposes a moratorium on legislation initiatives concerning all the ethnic issues for the next three years. The CC believes that in such way all people regardless of their ethnic background will unite to overcome economic crisis.

According to the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs (the Concord Centre (CC)), concentration on ethnic issues hinders economic development of the country. Therefore, the CC proposes a moratorium on legislation initiatives concerning all the ethnic issues for the next three years. The CC believes that in such way all people regardless of their ethnic background will unite to overcome economic crisis. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports about a round table discussion Rights and Suppression of Russian Language in Latvia held by the Russian information agency Rosbalt in Riga. Participants of the discussion – representatives of Russian NGOs, politicians and journalists – concluded that it is unfair that Russian language in Latvia has status of foreign language and it should have at least status of ethnic minority language. According to the MP Boriss Cilevics (the Concord Centre) there are internal contradictions in Latvian legal acts – the State Language Law acknowledges only state and foreign languages, while, the Constitution and the Law on Education mention the notion of ethnic minority languages. Mr Cilevics believes that the notion of ethnic minority languages should be consistently introduced in all legal acts in order to enable protection mechanisms stipulated by the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe.