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.

• FF/LNIM criticizes the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane for objections against proposed merger of the Board and the State Language Centre
• Saeima has supported draft amendments to the Asylum Law
• Vesti Segodnya prints an article on reasons why Jewish community of Latvia never expresses its position concerning removal of monuments to Soviet soldiers or critical attitude towards Red Army in Latvia
• Days of Russian Language are launched in Riga

Representatives of the Saeima’s faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) have held a meeting with the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins, the Head of the Naturalisation Board (NB) Eizenija Aldermane and the Director of the State Language Centre Agris Timuska discussing possible merger of the NB and the State Language Centre. The FF/LNIM has criticized Eizenija Aldermane for objections against merger of two institutions. According to the FF/LNIM, the state must be concerned about strengthening positions of the state language rather than about speeding-up naturalisation process. Therefore, the FF/LNIM considers that number of the NB’s staff members has to be decreased.

Representatives of the Saeimas faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) have held a meeting with the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins, the Head of the Naturalisation Board (NB) Eizenija Aldermane and the Director of the State Language Centre Agris Timuska discussing possible merger of the NB and the State Language Centre. The FF/LNIM has criticized Eizenija Aldermane for objections against merger of two institutions. According to the FF/LNIM, the state must be concerned about strengthening positions of the state language rather than about speeding-up naturalisation process. Therefore, the FF/LNIM considers that number of the NBs staff members has to be decreased. Chas

Yesterday, the Saeima has supported draft amendments to the Asylum Law which stipulate revision of asylum applications in shortened terms.

Yesterday, the Saeima has supported draft amendments to the Asylum Law which stipulate revision of asylum applications in shortened terms. NRA

Vesti Segodnya prints an article on reasons why Jewish community of Latvia never expresses its position concerning removal of monuments to Soviet soldiers or critical attitude towards Red Army in Latvia. According to a columnist of the newspaper, the chairman of the Council of Jewish Communities in Latvia Arkadijs Suharenko and some other representatives of the Jewish community have avoided answering the question.Abrams Kleckins, an academician and also a representative of Jewish community, has stated that these questions were never discussed within the community, most likely because these issues are too much politicized.

Chas reports that the Days of Russian Language are launched in Riga today.