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.

• Integration Minister about possibility to grant Latvian non-citizens any additional rights
• Presidents Advisor Sols Bukingolts about intolerance in Latvian society
• Head of the Israeli delegation to Latvia about relations between Latvia and Israel
• Vesti Segodnya re-prints excerpts from the article in the German newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau about Latvia
• Ratio of Latvians is growing in Latvia

Telegraf talks to the Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis. Regarding the recent call of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to provide a possibility for nationals of third countries to travel without a visa in EU countries, the Minister states that a possibility to travel without a visa is among the key reasons which motivate Latvian non-citizens to apply for Latvian citizenship and ‘it would be more correct to become a citizen... as it is in the interests of non-citizens. The Minister admits that he is against introduction of any easements for non-citizens because then they will not have any motivation to naturalise ‘and then we will stay with a huge number of non-citizens and that may be used as an argument against Latvia by a person him-/herself or by Russia.

Vesti Segodnya interviews Sols Bukingolts, Presidents Advisor and the Head of the Society Integration Foundation about growing intolerance in Latvian society. He admits that Latvia is not an exception and ‘there are people who do not accept ‘others and there are politicians who take advantage of these people. And these politicians are not hiding anymore. Sols Bukingolts notes that racial expressions and even calls to national hatred are very wide spread on the Internet, however, no action is taken. In regard to measures, which should be implemented to deal with intolerance, he says that the stress should be placed on educational and not so much on administrative measures.

NRA talks to Mark Sofer, Deputy General Director of the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Head of the Israeli delegation to Latvia. Mark Sofer states that relations between Latvia and Israel are very good. He adds that anti-Semitism is a disease and it is not seen only in Latvia. Mark Sofer expresses his appreciation to the Latvian Presidents statements about the Holocaust in Latvia and stresses that the Israeli government wants to continue co-operation with the Latvian government in the field of education and teacher training about the Holocaust.

Vesti Segodnya reports that the German newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau has published a comprehensive article about the situation in Latvia and in particular the anti-Semitic statements made by the former Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins. Vesti Segodnya concludes that if the situation in Latvia does not change, Latvia will not manage to improve her international reputation and succeed in integration of the Russian minority.

Newspapers report that within last years the ratio of Latvians to the total country’s population has increased – in 2000 there were 57.7% Latvians, while this year there are 58.8% Latvians in Latvia. However, the actual number of Latvians is dropping – in 2000 there were 1,37 million Latvians, while in 2005 – 1,36 million. The demographic decline applies to other nationalities as well; for instance, in 2000 there were 703,000 Russians in Latvia, while in 2005 - 661,000. The only ethnicity in Latvia that has a positive demography is Roma.

Newspapers report that within last years the ratio of Latvians to the total countrys population has increased – in 2000 there were 57.7% Latvians, while this year there are 58.8% Latvians in Latvia. However, the actual number of Latvians is dropping – in 2000 there were 1,37 million Latvians, while in 2005 – 1,36 million. The demographic decline applies to other nationalities as well; for instance, in 2000 there were 703,000 Russians in Latvia, while in 2005 - 661,000. The only ethnicity in Latvia that has a positive demography is Roma. Latvijas Vestnesis, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf