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.

• Left wing MP Nikolays Kabanovs excluded from the Saeimas Committee of Foreign Affairs
• Head of the Saeimas National Security Committee: Russia seeks ways to influence the upcoming Saeima elections
• Concord Centre will form a control group over the group of MPs, which will control the way naturalization exams are taken place
• Integration Minister criticizes recent statements of the Russian President
• All for Latvia calls to speak Latvian with non-Latvians
• Israeli journalist Frank Gordon about interethnic relations in Latvia

Yesterday, the Saeima excluded the left-wing MP Nikolays Kabanovs (FHRUL) from the Saeima’s C

Yesterday, the Saeima excluded the left-wing MP Nikolays Kabanovs (FHRUL) from the Saeimas Committee of Foreign Affairs. The right-wing MPs argued that Nikolays Kabanovs continuously ruins the image of Latvia referring to his active involvement in promotion of the documentary Baltic Nazism and presenting it at the Saeimas premises. Kabanovs party FHRUL responded that the decision of MPs is anti-democratic and called international organizations to comment on the Saeimas decision, as well as turn their attention torebirth of neo-Nazism in Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena

The Head of the Saeima’s National Security Committee Indulis Emsis stated that Russia seeks the ways to influence the upcoming Saeima elections by granting funding for Russian-oriented non-governmental and media. However, the Embassy of Russia in Latvia refused the accusations and demanded the official explanation and apologies from Indulis Emsis.

The Head of the Saeimas National Security Committee Indulis Emsis stated that Russia seeks the ways to influence the upcoming Saeima elections by granting funding for Russian-oriented non-governmental and media. However, the Embassy of Russia in Latvia refused the accusations and demanded the official explanation and apologies from Indulis Emsis. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena

The leader of the political party “The Concord Centre” Nils Ushakovs stated that the party will form their own control group over the group of MPs, which will control the way naturalization exams are taken place. “Our aim is to fight against unjustified requirements for applicants. We will monitor the “controllers” so that they would not be able to disturb examinees and examiners,” stated Nils Ushakovs. As reported, a group of MP’s will be formed to control the way naturalization exams are taken place, because the People’s Party considers that there have been a number of occasions when regional branches of the Naturalisation Board have committed illegal actions.

The leader of the political party The Concord Centre Nils Ushakovs stated that the party will form their own control group over the group of MPs, which will control the way naturalization exams are taken place. Our aim is to fight against unjustified requirements for applicants. We will monitor the controllers so that they would not be able to disturb examinees and examiners, stated Nils Ushakovs. As reported, a group of MPs will be formed to control the way naturalization exams are taken place, because the Peoples Party considers that there have been a number of occasions when regional branches of the Naturalisation Board have committed illegal actions. Chas

The Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis criticized a recent statement made by the Russia’s President Vladimir Putin that 60% of Riga’s residents are Russians. Ainars Latkovskis emphasized that according to the latest statistics there are 43% Latvians, 42% Russians, 4% - Belarussians, 4% - Ukrainians, 2% - Poles in Riga.

The Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis criticized a recent statement made by the Russias President Vladimir Putin that 60% of Rigas residents are Russians. Ainars Latkovskis emphasized that according to the latest statistics there are 43% Latvians, 42% Russians, 4% - Belarussians, 4% - Ukrainians, 2% - Poles in Riga. Vesti Segodnya

The political party “All for Latvia” will hold an action “Let’s speak Latvian” next week. The key aim and challenge of the action are to encourage Latvians to speak Latvian with non-Latvians and promote the state language.

The political party All for Latvia will hold an action Lets speak Latvian next week. The key aim and challenge of the action are to encourage Latvians to speak Latvian with non-Latvians and promote the state language. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

The Israeli journalist Frank Gordon in an interview with

The Israeli journalist Frank Gordon in an interview with Latvijas Avize said that neither Latvia nor Israel needs a two-community country. Frank Gordon considers that there is nothing wrong with the political party All for Latvia! Though it is a radical party, it has never made any anti-Semitic statements, said Gordon. However, the Israeli journalist expressed his disappointment and concern that the internet portal www.latvians.lv, hosted by some members of the radical organization The National Force Union, uses any possibility to assault Jews.