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.

• About 1,000 prisoners expressed their will to sign for the initiative to grant Latvian citizenship to non-citizens
• Minister of Justive Janis Bordans wants to limit broadcast of Russian TV channels in Latvia

According to Chas, about 1,000 prisoners expressed their will to sign for the initiative to grant Latvian citizenship to non-citizens. An NGO providing help for prisoners “Gara Speks” appealed to the management of prisons to allow the notary to visit those prisoners who want to sign. However, the prisons’ management delays the permission yet. As reported, 7,000 citizens signed for the initiative and the organisers need to collect 3,000 more signatures during the next couple of weeks in order to initiate state funded collection of signatures.

The Minister of Justice Janis Bordans believes that there are too many Russian TV channels available in Latvia. The Minister would like to see more European TV channels broadcasted for Latvian residents including channels of Estonia, Lithuania and Scandinavian countries in order to spread more information which serves the interests of Latvia and helps to feel that Latvia is in the European informative space. Chas