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.

• Supreme Court Senates Department of Administrative Cases refused the claim of the movements Return Our Names! activist Ruslan Pankratov
• Chas interviews the OKROLs activist Mihails Tjasins
• Interview with the leaders of the Latvias First Party Irina Vinnika and Ainars Slesers
• Chas reports on the pre-election program of the political union Motherland
• Vesti Segodnya prints an article about the leader of the Latvian National Front Aivars Garda
• Ministry of Education and Science has decided not to open a first grade with Russian language of instruction in Tukums
• 3 119 guest workers from 71 countries are employed in Latvia

Yesterday, the Supreme Court Senate’s Department of Administrative Cases has refused to change the decision of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in the case of the activist of a movement “Return Our Names!” Ruslan Pankratov. As reported, Mr. Pankratov has objected to the Latvianisation of his name and surname (adding the ending -

Yesterday, the Supreme Court Senates Department of Administrative Cases has refused to change the decision of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in the case of the activist of a movement Return Our Names! Ruslan Pankratov. As reported, Mr. Pankratov has objected to the Latvianisation of his name and surname (adding the ending -s) in his passport issued in Latvia. However, all Latvian judiciary instances have refused the claim. At present, Ruslan Pankartov is planning to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Chas features an interview with the activist of the OKROL (the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia) and the head of the Riga Regional Russian Community Mihails Tjasins. Mr. Tjasins recently has won the case in which he has sued the newspaper Latvijas Avize for publication of false statements allegedly injuring his honour and dignity. Mihails Tjasins believed that Latvijas Avize has published false statements (accusing him in illegal business activities) because of his participation in OKROL and protests actions against the implementation of minority education reform.

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the leaders of the Latvias First Party Irina Vinnika and Ainars Slesers. According to Irina Vinnika, the party is planning to develop a project to achieve granting Latvian citizenship to all residents born in Latvia. Ainars Slesers believes that more Russians should have political power since this is the only way to consolidate the society.

Chas reports on the pre-election program of the political union Motherland. According to the newspaper, the partys program is focused primarily on social and economic issues. At the same time, granting automatic of citizenship to all non-citizens and implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities without any reservations the party outlines as the core objectives concerning minority issues.

Vesti Segodnya prints an article about the leader of the extreme ultra-right organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda. The daily refers to Aivars Gardas given an interview to the information agency Free Caucasus where he has named people supporting the rights of Russian-speakers and residents who do not know the Latvian language as enemies and occupants of Latvia.

Vesti Segodnya reports on parents complaints against the decision of the Ministry of Education and Science not to open the first grade with Russian language as the main language of instruction in Tukums. If the grade is opened it would be the only Russian first grade in the town.

NRA features an article on guest workers in Latvia. At present, 3 119 guest workers from 71 countries with working permits, predominantly from Lithuania, Russia, Germany, Estonia, Ukraine, and Denmark, are employed in Latvia.