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.

• Head of Naturalisation Board: if naturalization is among states priorities the government must increase funding for the Board
• Legal Committee of Saeima rejects a proposal to grant non-citizens voting rights in national referendums
• International conference The Baltic Ukrainians in Riga
• Raivis Dzintars: Latvian citizenship is a privilege

The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane in an interview with

The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane in an interview with Telegraf spoke about a number of issues faced by the Board: Our employees leave their jobs because of low salaries… if naturalization is among states priorities, the government should increase funding for the Board… Russia could also provide its assistance to Russian residents in Latvia to learn the Latvian language. Eizenija Aldermane said that this year citizenship was granted to almost 21,000 persons, however, she predicts that the number of new citizens will drop in couple years. The Head of the Naturalisation Board also stated that discussions about the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law proposed by the right-wing political party FF/LNIM could result in increasing the gap between the communities. She believes the majority of MPs would not support the draft amendments.

Yesterday, the Legal Committee of Saeima rejected a proposal of the Saeima’s faction the Concord Centre to grant Latvian non-citizens voting rights in national referendums. A representative of the party stated that non-citizens should have rights to express their views, because non-citizens are paying taxes in this country as well. However, the Head of the Legal Committee pointed that the Latvian Constitution provides that only those residents who have the right to participate in parliamentarian elections may take part in  referendums.

Yesterday, the Legal Committee of Saeima rejected a proposal of the Saeimas faction the Concord Centre to grant Latvian non-citizens voting rights in national referendums. A representative of the party stated that non-citizens should have rights to express their views, because non-citizens are paying taxes in this country as well. However, the Head of the Legal Committee pointed that the Latvian Constitution provides that only those residents who have the right to participate in parliamentarian elections may take part in referendums. Chas, Telegraf

International conference “The Baltic Ukrainians” will be opened tomorrow in Riga. The representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, as well as guests from Ukraine will take part in the conference.

International conference The Baltic Ukrainians will be opened tomorrow in Riga. The representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, as well as guests from Ukraine will take part in the conference. Chas

“We stand for the united society – the unity of Latvians and those who are ready to stand with Latvians” – stated the leader of the nationally-patriotic organization “All for Latvia” Raivis Dzintars in an interview with

We stand for the united society – the unity of Latvians and those who are ready to stand with Latvians – stated the leader of the nationally-patriotic organization All for Latvia Raivis Dzintars in an interview with Vesti Segodnya. Raivis Dzintars also said: History shows that nationalism leads to economic development… Im not against other nations, but Latvia will prosper only when Latvians will feel that they are owners of this land. Dzintars believes that Latvian citizenship should be a privilege for non-Latvians and it should be granted only on special occasions.