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.

• Newspapers discuss the visit of PACE Monitoring Committee Chair to Latvia
• Court proceedings on the case of bribery in the Naturalization Board
• Interview with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Faction from the Union of the Greens and the Farmers on naturalization
• Data on foreigners employment in Latvia

Newspapers report on the visit of the Monitoring Committee Chair of

Newspapers report on the visit of the Monitoring Committee Chair of the Councils of Europe Parliamentary Assembly György Frunda to Latvia and his meetings with representatives of NGOs and with a Russian language school. György Frunda is also planning to meet state officials and MPs. Latvijas Avize prints critical responses of the writer Mara Zalite, the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis, political scientist Ilga Kreituse and the readers to the statements of György Frunda in his yesterday interview to Latvijas Avize. The interviewed persons believe that György Frunda has fragmented information on the history of Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize, Telegraf and Chas report on the Riga Regional Courts proceedings started yesterday on the alleged bribery in the Naturalization Board. The criminal case is initiated against ten persons, including the intermediaries in the alleged briberies and the bribers. Four Naturalization Boards officials are charged against the alleged bribery. The court proceedings could last during a month.

The chairman of the parliamentary faction from the Union of the Greens and the Farmers Augusts Brigmanis has informed Chas on the faction’s plans to discuss naturalization issues and the alleged bribary with the head of the Naturalization Board. The MP believes that naturalization should be continued, however, persons who have made a serious violation of the law should be deprived of the right to have an Latvian citizen’s passport.

The chairman of the parliamentary faction from the Union of the Greens and the Farmers Augusts Brigmanis has informed Chas on the factions plans to discuss naturalization issues and the alleged bribary with the head of the Naturalization Board. The MP believes that naturalization should be continued, however, persons who have made a serious violation of the law should be deprived of the right to have an Latvian citizens passport. Chas

Diena prints an article on the the lack of labour force in a fishing industry enterprise in Liepaja city. According to the president of the Fish Farmers Association, attracting workers from Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia and other states is the only solution in this situation. 3029 persons, including 1614 family members of the workers and 785 citizens of the Russian Federation, have come to Latvia to work from the EU and other states until 1 October.