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.

• 354 children born in Latvia after 21 August 1991 are registered as Latvian citizens during May
• Discussion on the study about intolerance in Latvian and Russian-language media
• Approximately 200 people participate in the unapproved protest walk against the education reform
• Interview with the Minister for Interior Eriks Jekabsons
• Director of the Sociological Institute of the Russia Academy of Science Renald Simonyan about the situation of Russians in Latvia
• Commentary on the expressions of the Foreign Affairs Minister Rihards Piks that not all Russian-speakers living in Latvia can be regarded as a minority
• Celebration of the Africa Day in Latvia

354 children born in Latvia after 21 August 1991 were registered as Latvian citizens in May, following the appeal of the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks and the Special Task Minister for Children and Family Affairs Ainars Bastiks.  Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks regards it as a good result, because only 356 children were registered during the twelve months of the last year.

354 children born in Latvia after 21 August 1991 were registered as Latvian citizens in May, following the appeal of the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks and the Special Task Minister for Children and Family Affairs Ainars Bastiks. Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks regards it as a good result, because only 356 children were registered during the twelve months of the last year. Diena, Latvijas Vestnesis, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize features discussion on the study about intolerance in Latvian- and Russian-language media, conducted by the PR agency Mediju Tilts. According to the study, Russian-language newspapers frequently stress that economic situation of the non-citizens is worse than that of the citizens. The researchers have also found that both Latvian- and Russian-language media reflect a lack of trust between Russians and Latvians. While Russian-language media frequently express negative attitude towards the Latvian politicians, naming them ‘representatives of the titular nation, Latvian-language newspapers use such expressions as ‘Russian chauvinists, ‘occupants, ‘the forces of Russia and ‘descendants of our torturers. Intolerance most frequently manifests itself when newspapers write about the society integration, naturalisation and education reform.

Yesterday approximately 200 persons participated in the unapproved protest walk against the education reform.

Yesterday approximately 200 persons participated in the unapproved protest walk against the education reform. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Crisis in the Latvian society has ripened, and the main cause of it is the education reform implementation, says Minister for Interior Eriks Jekabsons in the interview to

Crisis in the Latvian society has ripened, and the main cause of it is the education reform implementation, says Minister for Interior Eriks Jekabsons in the interview to Vesti Segodnya. Minister has pointed to the necessity of the dialogue with the opponents of the education reform, stressing that political disagreements cannot be solved by the Ministry of Interior. Commenting on the Peoples Party proposal to expel Aleksandrs Kazakovs, organiser of the protest actions against the education reform, the minister states that the ministry will act in line with the law. According to Eriks Jekabsons, Aleksandrs Kazakovs, as well as the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools leader Jurijs Pertopavlovskis, have placed themselves on a very dangerous path of confrontation inciting children to the mass protest actions.

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the director of the Sociological Institute of the Russia Academy of Science Renald Simonyan about the situation of Russians in Latvia.

Latvijas Avize features an article by the commentator Maris Antonevics about the statement of the Foreign Affairs Minister Rihards Piks, expressed during his meeting with the honorary consuls of Latvia. Rihards Piks has stated that not all so-called Russian-speakers living in Latvia can be viewed as a minority, as a big part of them came to Latvia because of the Russification policy of the USSR. Maris Antonevics points to the necessity of introducing a legal definition of the term ‘minority in Latvia.

Vesti Segodnya writes about the celebration of the Africa Day in Latvia.