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.

• Extreme ultra-right organisation National Power Union has appealed to the Riga City Council to demolish the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders
• Ivars Godmanis: national referendum is the best way how to decide whether non-citizens of Latvia have to be granted voting rights in municipal elections
• Weekly magazine Nedela prints an interview with the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis
• FHRUL has defined its future strategic objectives

Vesti Segodnya reports that the extreme ultra-right organisation National Power Union (NSS in its Latvian acronym) has appealed to the Riga City Council to demolish the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders. Leaders of the NSS have stated that the Monument symbolises the occupational regime. NSS also has supported the decision of Estonian government to remove the Red Army war memorial from the centre of Tallinn.

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the head of the political party Latvias Way Ivars Godmanis. Ivars Godmanis has stated that a national referendum is the best way how to decide whether non-citizens of Latvia have to be granted voting rights in municipal elections. Ivars Godmanis believed that non-citizens would not be loyal to the state if they do not have an opportunity to participate in elections. According to Mr. Godmanis, an in-depth study must be made in order to access possible increase of non-citizens involvement and responsibility due to granting them voting rights.

Weekly magazine

Weekly magazine Nedela prints an interview with the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis. The Ombudsman believed that persons who have arrived to Latvia during Soviet times cannot be granted citizenship automatically. According to Romans Apsitis, there is no state in the world granting citizenship without naturalisation, therefore, those who are willing to get Latvian citizenship can go through the naturalisation process.

Vesti Segodnya reports on a regional conference of the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) defining its future strategic objectives. The preservation and development of the Russian speaking community as well as granting voting rights to non-citizens in municipal elections are among the FHRULs priorities.