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.

• Interview with political scientist and publicist Sandris Tocs on involvement of Russians in the government
• Fake language control
• Investigation continues on illegal transportation of five Syrian citizens
• The President of Latvia will greet everybody on Orthodox Christmas
• Security police anticipates increase of radicalism

In an interview with

In an interview with Vesti Segonya, political scientist and publicist Sandris Tocs encouraged Latvian politicians to invite Russians to the government as soon as possible. He also stated that after the 17 years of independence people in Latvia have to leave stereotypes and prejudices, because such attitude only provokes tensions between two groups of the society.

Last year a group of young nationalists, a part of party All for Latvia, visited a lot of companies to test the Latvian language knowledge of their workers. After that in the website “Sargi valodu” (protect the language) this group published a black list of companies that workers don’t speak Latvian language well enough. They promised that visits will continue this year.

Last year a group of young nationalists, a part of party All for Latvia, visited a lot of companies to test the Latvian language knowledge of their workers. After that in the website Sargi valodu (protect the language) this group published a black list of companies that workers dont speak Latvian language well enough. They promised that visits will continue this year. Vesti Segonya

Investigation continues on case of illegal transportation of five citizens of Syria over Latvian border in September 2008. There are five people arrested, three of them Latvian citizens, one legal resident of Latvia and one citizen of Lithuania. Investigation will continue for up to three months. The Border Guards noted that this is not the first group of Syrian citizens. According to the Border Guards, Latvia is just a transit country for illegal migration destined to other EU countries.

Investigation continues on case of illegal transportation of five citizens of Syria over Latvian border in September 2008. There are five people arrested, three of them Latvian citizens, one legal resident of Latvia and one citizen of Lithuania. Investigation will continue for up to three months. The Border Guards noted that this is not the first group of Syrian citizens. According to the Border Guards, Latvia is just a transit country for illegal migration destined to other EU countries. Vesti Segodnya

Tomorrow, the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers will greet all Orthodox Christians and Old Believers in their coming Christmas. “We have to be united in this critical situation of our country!” says Valdis Zatlers. As reported, there are still discussions of including Orthodox Christmas in the official Latvian calendar. Latvia has more than 300’000 Orthodox Christians, reports

Tomorrow, the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers will greet all Orthodox Christians and Old Believers in their coming Christmas. We have to be united in this critical situation of our country! says Valdis Zatlers. As reported, there are still discussions of including Orthodox Christmas in the official Latvian calendar. Latvia has more than 300000 Orthodox Christians, reports Diena.

Security police anticipates that where will be increase of radicalism from right and left wing extremists. Increase is anticipated for the period of municipal and European Parliament elections in June, 2009.

Security police anticipates that where will be increase of radicalism from right and left wing extremists. Increase is anticipated for the period of municipal and European Parliament elections in June, 2009. Diena