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.
Авг. 28, 2014
- There are 1,295,345 ethnic Latvians and 582,998 ethnic Russians living in Latvia
- Vesti Segodnya interviews director of the only Russian language secondary school in Valmiera
According to the Register of Residents, there are 1,295,345 ethnic Latvians and 582,998 ethnic Russians living in Latvia. 181,785 ethnic Russian residents have the status of non-citizen. There are also 713 ethnic Latvians non-citizens. Among representatives of other ethnicities there are 73,442 Belorussians, 52,274 Ukrainians, 47,947 Polish, 27,778 Lithuanians, 8,972 Jews, 8,069 Roma, 864 Chinese and others. In Riga, there are 300,753 ethnic Latvians, 276,623 ethnic Russians, 26,079 Ukrainians, and 27,583 Belorussians. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize
Vesti Segodnya interviews director of the only Russian language secondary school in Valmiera (city in the Northern part of Latvia). Valmiera is one of the most ethnic Latvian cities in Latvia. There are 270 students in the school. Russian language kindergarten is also located in the same building. According to the director, Russian speaking kids from all Vidzeme region study in the school as it is the only Russian secondary school in the region. However, travelling to Valmiera requires financial expenses and not all parents can afford it. The director says that local Russians living in the mostly ethnic Latvian environment are perfectly proficient in Latvian language but they also want to keep their ethnic identity, therefore, choose the Russian language school for their children.