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.

• Saeima refused a proposal to grant non-citizens the right to propose legislative initiatives
• LVL 1,500 fine imposed on “First Baltic Channel” for violation of usage of state language
• Interview with the head of the President’s Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities Romans Alijevs

Yesterday, the Saeima refused a proposal of the Concord Centre (CC) to grant Latvian non-citizens the right to propose legislative initiatives. At present, only Latvian citizens have the right to turn to the Parliament with legislative initiative after collecting 10,000 signatures.  The CC also is planning to submit its proposals for the final reading of the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law in the Saeima stipulating easier naturalisation procedure for non-citizens. The CC believes naturalisation requirements for Latvian non-citizens should be easier than for foreign citizens who want to become Latvian citizens. Vesti Segodnya

The National Electronic Mass Media Council fined the Russian language TV channel “First Baltic Channel” with LVL 1,500 for violation of usage of state language. The Council punished the TV channel for not translating films and broadcasts into Latvian language and placement of advertisements in Russian language in broadcasts recorded in Latvian language. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the head of the President’s Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities Romans Alijevs. According to Mr Alijevs, the aim of the Council is to establish dialogue with ethnic minorities, the society and to identify existing problems. Mr Alijevs also believes that such initiatives as past referendum on the status of Russian language in Latvia and possible forthcoming referendum on citizenship contradict the interests of ethnic minorities in Latvia, because there are no problems with communication in daily life but politicians are promoting such problems. According to Mr Alijevs, some people now confess to him they regret the fact that they voted in favour of the second state language during the last referendum. Mr. Alijevs also believes the referendum was a provocation and many people were mislead into voting by the slogan “go and vote for your native language!”