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.

• President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev has signed a decree cancelling visa requirements for Latvian and Estonian non-citizens entering Russia
• Cabinet of Ministers has approved the draft amendments which forbid teaching in foreign languages in state funded higher education establishments
• Security Police has refused to initiate a criminal process against famous Latvian lawyer Andris Grutups for his statements made about Russian residents of Latvia
• Radical right-wing party All for Latvia! has started collecting signatures on the internet in support of toughening language policy in Latvia

Yesterday, the President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev has signed a decree which cancels visa requirements for Latvian and Estonian non-citizens entering Russia. In an interview with

Yesterday, the President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev has signed a decree which cancels visa requirements for Latvian and Estonian non-citizens entering Russia. In an interview with Chas, the Head of the Saeimas Foreign Affairs Committee Andris Berzins states that such Russias decision will hinder further naturalisation rate. In the meantime, the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane believes that it will not impact naturalisation process because those non-citizens who want to become Latvian citizen will naturalise anyway. The MP Artis Pabriks also considers that this is positive decision and will not impact naturalisation. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the draft amendments which forbid teaching in foreign languages in state funded higher education establishments. The ban applies to all languages except the official EU languages. The draft amendments are forwarded for final approval to the Saeima.

Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the draft amendments which forbid teaching in foreign languages in state funded higher education establishments. The ban applies to all languages except the official EU languages. The draft amendments are forwarded for final approval to the Saeima. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

The Security Police has refused to initiate a criminal process against famous Latvian lawyer Andris Grutups for his statements made about Russian residents of Latvia. As reported, the political parties „Concord Centre” and „For Human Rights in United Latvia” consider that  Grutups’ statements in an interview with

The Security Police has refused to initiate a criminal process against famous Latvian lawyer Andris Grutups for his statements made about Russian residents of Latvia. As reported, the political parties „Concord Centre and „For Human Rights in United Latvia consider that Grutups statements in an interview with Latvijas Avize (on 22 May) are insulting and discriminating towards Russians therefore turned to the General Prosecutors Office asking to evaluate whether thoseare inciting to ethnic hatred. However, the Security Police considers that the statements do not constitute criminal offence. Latvijas Avize

The radical right-wing party “All for Latvia!” has started collecting signatures on the internet in support of toughening language policy in Latvia. “All for Latvia!” considers that education in all state funded schools starting from first grade should be only in Latvian language.

The radical right-wing party All for Latvia! has started collecting signatures on the internet in support of toughening language policy in Latvia. All for Latvia! considers that education in all state funded schools starting from first grade should be only in Latvian language. Vesti Segodnya