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.

• Latvijas Avize: Latvia promised the UN to revise legal regulations of naturalisation policy in order to increase number of Latvian citizens
• Latvijas Avize prints interview about state language policy
• Neatkariga publishes statements by a nationalist Aivars Slucis
• Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues of the U.S. State Department Douglas Davidson will visit Riga next week

Latvijas Avize reports that Latvia promised in report on human rights submitted to the UN to revise legal regulations of naturalisation policy in order to increase number of Latvian citizens. According to a representative of the Cabinet of Ministers Inga Reine, this point concerns registration of children of Latvian non-citizens born in Latvia automatically without application from parents which presently should be submitted to the Naturalisation Board. Mrs. Reine also notices that the report has only political nature and promises given in the report are not mandatory for implementation.

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with MP, ex-head of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa, the MP Janis Dombrava (nationalists party All for Latvia!) and head of the control department of the State Language Centre Antons Kursitis about state language policy. According to Mr. Kursitis, Latvian young people who are insufficient in Russian language suffer of discrimination because cannot find a job especially in largest Latvias cities. Mrs. Hirsa believes that such situation is unacceptable and should be changed by creating legal mechanism strengthening state language positions in private enterprises.

Neatkariga publishes article by a nationalist Aivars Slucis (residing in the U.S.A) named Politically correct in ethnic Latvian style. According to Mr. Slucis, political correctness comes from corrupt Russian agents such as Max van der Stoel, former German Chancellor Schroeder, Italian Berlusconi and thousands of others. Mr. Slucis believes that Latvia is the most endangered state due to large number of ethnic Russian residents and calls on Latvians to fight for ethnic Latvia. Mr.Slucis claims that Russians are winning in Latvia – a land of Riflemen and SS Legionnaires. Mr. Slucis also calls on all ethnic Latvians to speak only Latvian starting from 1 March 2011 and not to say a single word in Russian.

The Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues of the U.S. State Department Douglas Davidson will visit Riga next week. According to Latvijas Avize, Mr. Davidson will meet with Latvian officials in order to discuss granting of compensation to Jewish community for lost properties during the Holocaust in Latvia. Latvijas Avize