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.

• PACE stopped the post-monitoring dialogue with Latvia
• Head of Saeimas Foreign Affair Committee: Latvia should remain Latvian forever
• Latvian politicians comment on a possibility to hold a national referendum on amendments to the Citizenship Law

Yesterday, the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), after listening to the report of the Head of the Monitoring Committee, stopped the post-monitoring dialogue with Latvia on the situation of minorities in the country despite the Head’s petition to continue the monitoring. Latvian high officials, including the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, believe that the closure of post-monitoring is a clear sign that Latvia corresponds to all European democracy criteria. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks stated that the closure of the post-monitoring dialogue is a victory of Latvian diplomacy. However,

Yesterday, the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), after listening to the report of the Head of the Monitoring Committee, stopped the post-monitoring dialogue with Latvia on the situation of minorities in the country despite the Heads petition to continue the monitoring. Latvian high officials, including the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, believe that the closure of post-monitoring is a clear sign that Latvia corresponds to all European democracy criteria. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks stated that the closure of the post-monitoring dialogue is a victory of Latvian diplomacy. However, Vesti Segodnya notes that although the post-monitoring has been cancelled, Latvia will have to account for the implementation of the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities. Latvijas. Vestnesis, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena, NRA

The Head of Saeima’s Foreign Affair Committee Vaira Paegle in an interview with

The Head of Saeimas Foreign Affair Committee Vaira Paegle in an interview with Latvijas Vestnesis said that Latvia has a good experience in integration of immigrants. However, she is convinced that the number of immigrants should be limited and Latvia should remain Latvian forever. Vaira Paegle expressed her concern about increasing intolerance towards the other in the Latvian society. She believes that the society should become more tolerant as intolerance brings harm to all members of the society.

Chas asked Latvian politicians to comment an intention of the faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM to discuss amendments to the Citizenship Law at a national referendum. Yuriy Sokolovskiy (FHRUL) considers that the referendum would be only a PR action in FF/LNIMs pre-election campaign. Andris Berzins (Latvias Way) thinks that FF/LNIM wants to split Latvian society into two parts. Augusts Brigmanis (Union of Greens and Farmers) believes that Latvia does not need the referendum, because naturalization goes on according to all European norms and rules. Valeriy Ageshin (Harmony Centre) said that FF/LNIM wants to bring about ethnic tension, arguing that the proposed amendments would hamper ethnic integration.