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.

• MPs cannot come to a common agreement about the list of countries which should be allowed to have dual citizenship with Latvia
• Minister of Welfare Ilze Vinkele: Latvia will not avoid influx of immigrants
• Commemorative events held in Riga on the day of the commemoration of victims of the Holocaust

Chas reports that members of the Saeima’s sub-committee on elaboration of the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law cannot come to a common agreement about the list of countries which should be allowed to have dual citizenship with Latvia. According to the newspaper, the nationalists’ union All for Latvia!/FF/LNIM and the Reforms Party consider that the dual citizenship should be allowed with countries taking into consideration their geopolitical proximity. The Concord Centre, in its turn, considers that the dual citizenship should be allowed with all the countries. In the meantime, the position of the Unity is not clear at all. It is expected, that the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law could be reviewed in the Saeima in August.

According to the Minister of Welfare Ilze Vinkele, Latvia should elaborate its immigration policy due to the future shortage of labour force in the country. The Minister believes that Latvia will not avoid influx of immigrants, therefore, it is important to evaluate all the aspects now and to decide how many people can be invited to Latvia, from which regions, on what conditions and when. Otherwise, the time will come but the country will not be ready, states Mrs Vinkele. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, in the framework of the commemoration day of the victims of Holocaust in Latvia, Latvian high officials and foreign diplomats, together with representatives of Jewish community, persons who survived the Holocaust and others, took part in the commemorative events at the memorial in Riga.  The President of Latvia Andris Berzins called all Latvian residents to remember and comprehend the Holocaust and responsibility for it. Newspapers also report about a picket conducted by radicals near the site of the commemorative event. Organiser of the picket Igors Siskins is known for radical and anti-Semitic actions and statements. Vesti Segodnya, Chas