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.

• Saeimas Committee on National Economy supported proposal to ease procedure on granting residency permits for foreign investors
• Minister of Education and Science Tatjana Koke will speak to local journalists only in Latvian language
• 46,781 foreigners live in Latvia
• Procession in support of Latvian non-citizens held yesterday in Riga
• Saeima refused all draft amendments regarding widening rights of non-citizens
• Vesti Segodnya reports about problems faced by Russian citizens who live in Latvia
• Head of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Efraim Zuroff: For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM glorifies Nazism

The Saeima’s Committee on National Economy supported proposal to ease procedure on granting residency permits for foreign investors. The draft amendments to the Immigration Law stipulate that foreigners who bought real estate in Latvia for more than LVL 50,000 (EUR 71,143) or invested not less than LVL 10,000 (EUR 14,228) in basic capital of enterprises and ensured at least three vacancies have right to receive residency permit for 5 years in Latvia.

The Saeimas Committee on National Economy supported proposal to ease procedure on granting residency permits for foreign investors. The draft amendments to the Immigration Law stipulate that foreigners who bought real estate in Latvia for more than LVL 50,000 (EUR 71,143) or invested not less than LVL 10,000 (EUR 14,228) in basic capital of enterprises and ensured at least three vacancies have right to receive residency permit for 5 years in Latvia. Chas

The Minister of Education and Science Tatjana Koke will speak to local journalists only in Latvian language. Such statement was made after reproach of the President Latvia Valdis Zatlers to state officials who speak with journalists in Russian.

The Minister of Education and Science Tatjana Koke will speak to local journalists only in Latvian language. Such statement was made after reproach of the President Latvia Valdis Zatlers to state officials who speak with journalists in Russian. Chas

According to the Central Statistics Bureau, there are 46,781 foreigners living in Latvia. 29,622 of them have Russian citizenship, 3,694 are Lithuanians, and 2,898 are Ukrainians.

According to the Central Statistics Bureau, there are 46,781 foreigners living in Latvia. 29,622 of them have Russian citizenship, 3,694 are Lithuanians, and 2,898 are Ukrainians. Chas

Procession in support of Latvian non-citizens devoted to 18

Procession in support of Latvian non-citizens devoted to 18th anniversary since adoption of law which divided Latvian residents into citizens and non-citizens was held yesterday in Riga. Chas, Vesti Segdonya

Yesterday, the Saeima refused all draft amendments regarding widening rights of non-citizens proposed by the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia. As reported, the draft laws abolished limitations for non-citizens in various activity categories and real estate business, and abolished requirement to prove Latvian language proficiency for those non-citizens who want to receive the status of the EU permanent resident.

Yesterday, the Saeima refused all draft amendments regarding widening rights of non-citizens proposed by the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia. As reported, the draft laws abolished limitations for non-citizens in various activity categories and real estate business, and abolished requirement to prove Latvian language proficiency for those non-citizens who want to receive the status of the EU permanent resident. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports about problems faced by Russian citizens who live in Latvia. According to the newspaper, a young man who was born in Latvia but has only temporary residency permit, at fourth year of studies in a professional school suddenly received a notification that he does not have right to study for free and to receive scholarship. The young man may also be required to pay for all years of studies. In another case described in the article, a man who recently received Russian citizenship but did not obtain the permanent residency permit yet was stroked off the list of patients in local health care centre and was refused help when he needed it.

Head of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre

Head of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Efraim Zuroff in an interview with the Britain newspaper The Guardian stated that criticism made by political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) towards the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs for his participation in the events in commemoration of liberation of Riga from Nazi invaders should be viewed as glorification of Nazism. According to Mr. Zuroff, the FF/LNIM glorifies veterans Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires and ignores historical truth which is that Latvia would not become independent if Riga was not be liberated from Nazis by Soviet warriors in 1944. Chas