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.

• First new solemn ceremony on granting Latvian citizenship to persons who went through the naturalisation process conducted on 21 February
• Congress of Non-Citizens timed discussed education in ethnic minority schools in Latvia
• Conference about historical developments and the current situation of languages in Latvia

Latvijas Avize reports about the first new solemn ceremony on granting Latvian citizenship to persons who went through the naturalisation process. The Ceremony was conducted in the building of the Latvian Parliament. The Chairperson of the Saeima Solvita Aboltina in her speech at the ceremony said that citizenship is not only a legal act and passport – it is much closer sense of belonging and confidence that a person wants and can live in this country. The new citizens gave a solemn promise which says that they will be loyal to Latvia, protect Latvian independence, strengthen Latvian language as the only state language, live and work honestly in order to enhance welfare of the state and people.

Vesti Segodnya reports about the session of the Congress of Non-Citizens timed to the international Day of Native Language. The main issue for discussions was education in ethnic minority schools in Latvia. According to one of the leaders of the Congress Elizabete Krivcova, 40% of ethnic minorities in Latvia are non-citizens and as they do not have political rights they cannot impact the government including issues concerning education of their children. As education is one of the key aspects for preservation of ethnic identity, the government plans to switch national minority schools into Latvian language is very important issue and the Congress will use non-violent methods of protests against it.

Forum “For Progress in Latvia” organised a scientific-practical conference “Native Word Preserves Culture” on 21 February in Riga. The participants discussed historical developments and the current situation of Russian and Latvian languages and cultures in Latvia. Co-chairman of Latvian Human Rights Committee Vladimirs Buzaevs highlighted statistics to show the competitiveness of minorities in Latvia decreased since 2004 (transition of 60% of subjects in minority schools to Latvian language of instruction) and reminded that during the Soviet era, the Minister of Education Ina Druviete studied in school in Latvian. Vesti Segodnya