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.

• MP Ina Druviete: Russian language might be granted official status of ethnic minorities language in Latvia
• Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers has supported draft amendments to the Administrative Violations Code stipulating reduced penalties for repeated violation of the State Language Law at work
• Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government has sent instruction to all local governments in Latvia to stop discrimination of non-citizens
• Telegraf features an interview with the head of the Council of Jewish Communities in Latvia Arkadijs Suharenko
• Diena prints an article on dual citizenship in Latvia

At a forum on language policy in the EU member countries held in Riga, the Vice President of the European Federation of National Institutions for Language, MP Ina Druviete (the New Era) has stated that in the future, Russian language might be granted official status of ethnic minorities’ language in Latvia. Ina Druviete considers that several languages in one country can have different legal status but similar sociolinguistic status. The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins (the FF/LNIM) criticized the statement of Ina Druviete and stated that Latvian language should be the only official language in Latvia.

At a forum on language policy in the EU member countries held in Riga, the Vice President of the European Federation of National Institutions for Language, MP Ina Druviete (the New Era) has stated that in the future, Russian language might be granted official status of ethnic minorities language in Latvia. Ina Druviete considers that several languages in one country can have different legal status but similar sociolinguistic status. The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins (the FF/LNIM) criticized the statement of Ina Druviete and stated that Latvian language should be the only official language in Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Yesterday, the Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers has supported draft amendments to the Administrative Violations Code proposed by the Ministry of Justice which stipulate reduced penalties for repeated violation of the State Language Law at work. The Ministry of Justice considers that penalties should be reduced so that persons with low income would be able to pay it.

Yesterday, the Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers has supported draft amendments to the Administrative Violations Code proposed by the Ministry of Justice which stipulate reduced penalties for repeated violation of the State Language Law at work. The Ministry of Justice considers that penalties should be reduced so that persons with low income would be able to pay it. Chas, Telegraf

The Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government has sent instruction to all local governments in Latvia to stop discrimination of non-citizens. As reported, the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia has appealed to the Ministry asking to explain why in several local governments non-citizens are forbidden to work in local committees and take part in public surveys.

The Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government has sent instruction to all local governments in Latvia to stop discrimination of non-citizens. As reported, the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia has appealed to the Ministry asking to explain why in several local governments non-citizens are forbidden to work in local committees and take part in public surveys. Chas, Telegraf

Telegraf features an interview with the head of the Council of Jewish Communities in Latvia Arkadijs Suharenko. Mr. Suharenko has stated that recently issued book Scaffold written by a well-known Latvian lawyer Andris Grutups is anti-Semitic and glorifies Nazism. Mr. Suharenko considers that manifestations of anti-Semitism become more evident in Latvia, while activities of Andris Grutups and dissemination of his ideas promote it.

Diena prints an article on dual citizenship in Latvia. According to the author of the article, dual citizenship should be granted to children of Latvian citizens and foreign citizens in order to maintain connection between Latvia and these children. Dual citizenship also should be granted to those individuals and their descendants who have departed from Latvia as refugees because Latvia has lost its independence in 1940 and became citizens of other countries.