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.

• Janis Urbanovics calls for positive interpretation of naturalization legislation
• Interview with Ainars Slesers

Janis Urbanovics (Concord Centre) addressed Linda Murniece, the Minister of Interior with an open letter. Many non-citizens of Latvia as well as foreigners with permanent residence permits are forced to seek jobs in other countries. Many consider Latvia their home and are willing to naturalize and to prove their knowledge of the state language and history, yet in the view of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, they loose the right to apply once spent more then 6 months outside of the country. Mr.Urbanovics points out that the Citizenship Law requires that applicant lived permanently in Latvia at least 5 years after 4 May 1990, yet does not require this term to be uninterrupted before application. Mr.Urbanovics calls the Minister of Interior to find a solution for interpretation of the Citizenship Law so that it benefits those who belong to Latvia.

Janis Urbanovics (Concord Centre) addressed Linda Murniece, the Minister of Interior with an open letter. Many non-citizens of Latvia as well as foreigners with permanent residence permits are forced to seek jobs in other countries. Many consider Latvia their home and are willing to naturalize and to prove their knowledge of the state language and history, yet in the view of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, they loose the right to apply once spent more then 6 months outside of the country. Mr.Urbanovics points out that the Citizenship Law requires that applicant lived permanently in Latvia at least 5 years after 4 May 1990, yet does not require this term to be uninterrupted before application. Mr.Urbanovics calls the Minister of Interior to find a solution for interpretation of the Citizenship Law so that it benefits those who belong to Latvia. Chas, Vesti-Segodnya, Telegraph

Latvijas Avize interviewed Ainars Slesers, candidate Prime Minister of the union For Better Latvia!. Mr.Slesers believes that in order to pull Latvia out of crisis, it is necessary to have a leader, who tries to unite the society, to unite Latvians and Russians. It is important not to push out Russians, but to make them part of us and therefore, Mr.Slesers will turn to Russian voters, calling on them to support him. Mr.Slesers believes that ethnic Russian youth is more competitive in the labour market, because ethnic Latvian youth does not know Russian language. He therefore recommends the youth to learn Russian language and recognize that it is advisable to have at least one hour of Russian language per week at school.