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.

• Coordination Council of NGOs requested the Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis and the Minister of Education Tatjana Koke to explain why representatives of ethnic minorities are not engaged in the process of elaboration of new regulations on state language certification
• Saeimas Legal Committee has refused the draft amendments on easing procedures on changing ethnicity
• Telegraf reports that the Ministry of Interior has elaborated draft amendments to so-called passport rules
• Applicant for the post of the head of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau businessman Sergejs Sutkovs: Russian speaking residents of Latvia should aspire for work in governmental structures

The Coordination Council of NGOs in Latvia has requested the Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis and the Minister of Education Tatjana Koke to explain why representatives of ethnic minorities are not engaged in the process of elaboration of new regulations on state language certification. The Coordination Council considers that such practice contradicts the basic principle of the Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities on participation of representatives of ethnic minorities. Yesterday, the Council has received reply to the request from the Minister of Education inviting representatives of the Council to the working meeting on elaboration of the new regulations.

The Coordination Council of NGOs in Latvia has requested the Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis and the Minister of Education Tatjana Koke to explain why representatives of ethnic minorities are not engaged in the process of elaboration of new regulations on state language certification. The Coordination Council considers that such practice contradicts the basic principle of the Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities on participation of representatives of ethnic minorities. Yesterday, the Council has received reply to the request from the Minister of Education inviting representatives of the Council to the working meeting on elaboration of the new regulations. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, the Saeima’s Legal Committee has refused the draft amendments on easing procedures on changing ethnicity. The draft amendments stipulated cancellation of requirement to prove Latvian language proficiency if a person wants to change ethnicity to “ethnic Latvian.”

Yesterday, the Saeimas Legal Committee has refused the draft amendments on easing procedures on changing ethnicity. The draft amendments stipulated cancellation of requirement to prove Latvian language proficiency if a person wants to change ethnicity to ethnic Latvian. Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf reports that the Ministry of Interior has elaborated the draft amendments to so-called passport rules. The draft amendments stipulate that if a person wants to save original Latin transliteration of name and surname in a new passport she or he will not be obliged to show birth certificates anymore but it will be sufficient if original spelling at least once appeared in old passport or in the Residents Register.

In an interview with

In an interview with Vesti Segodnya one of the applicants for the post of the head of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau businessman Sergejs Sutkovs states that Russian speaking residents of Latvia should aspire for work in governmental structures and municipalities to have impact on processes in Latvia.