Integration monitor
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.
Янв. 12, 2012
- President of Latvia Andris Berzins: in practice usage of Russian language in ensured in all important areas
- State Language Centre is planning check state language proficiency of employees of kindergartens
Chas prints an interview with the President of Latvia Andris Berzins. The President does not see the problem of usage of foreign languages, particularly usage of Russian language in Latvia. The President believes that the conflicts around the language problem are provoked by politicians. The President says that in practice usage of Russian language in ensured in all important areas such as medical care, courts and others. The President also believes that the referendum on the Constitutional amendments stipulating granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia contradicts the spirit of the Constitution because its essence is that Latvia is based on the Latvian language as the only state language and the integral territory.
Vesti Segodnya and Latvijas Avize reports that the State Language Centre (SLC) is planning to pay special attention to the preschool establishments and to check state language proficiency of employees of kindergartens. Head of the control department of the SLC Antons Kursitis believes that is unacceptable that state language is not used at all in communication among employees of preschool establishments with Russian language of instructions, but the children have only one lesson of Latvian language per week.