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.

• Chas prints an interview with the director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Anhelita Kamenska
• President’s Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities met with NGOs
• Vladimirs Lindermans calls to grant Latgale region the status of autonomy

Chas prints an interview with the director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Anhelita Kamenska. Ms Kamenska believes the potential referendum on granting Latvian citizenship automatically to all non-citizens is a strong reminder about the non-resolved problem of non-citizens in Latvia. Ms Kamenska highlights that the amendments to the Citizenship Law are predominantly aimed at increasing the Latvian citizenry through dual citizenship arrangements rather than by decreasing the number of non-citizens. Although the easing of the registration of non-citizen children should be deemed positive, it is not automatic granting of citizenship to non-citizen children. It also remains to be seen whether the amendments will refer to all non-citizen children born since August 1991. The earlier referendum on granting Russian the status of a second language led to the increased state funding for free Latvian language training courses in Latgale and other integration related programmes. Commenting on the controversy surrounding the teacher of the Russian language school V.Rafalskis (also member of the political party For Human Rights in the United Latvia) and his statements on disloyalty towards the Latvian state, Ms Kamenska states that the opinion alone cannot be ground for his dismissal. However, it is essential that teacher’s political views do no interfere with his work with schoolchildren.

Latvijas Avize reports about a meeting of the President’s Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities. This time the Council met the representatives of minority NGOs and youth organisations to discuss their vision of society consolidation.

Leader of a party “For Native Language” Vladimirs Lindermans calls to grant Latgale region the status of autonomy thus giving adequate response to the attempt of the politicians not to allow the referendum on non-citizens. Mr Lindermans believes this is what the residents of Latgale desire and their preference will be approved by a study.