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.

• State Language Centre: number of complaints on violations grows
• NRA interviews one of the leaders of the International Romani Union Normunds Rudevics about Romani passports
• Most popular political party in Latvia - the Concord Centre

Latvijas Avize reports that number of complaints on violations of the State Language Law received by the State Language Centre (SLC) grows. In total, during 2009, 835 persons got punished for violations of the State Language Law, including 517 persons for insufficient language proficiency at work. At the same time, representative of the SLC Antons Kursitis notes that generally, state language proficiency of Latvian residents became better. According to Mr. Kursitis, situation with state language proficiency improves in state institutions where majority of collective is ethnic Latvian and ethnic non-Latvians colleagues are being successfully integrated and their language skills improve. While, situation in cities with majority of Russian speaking residents and in private enterprises still is not so good.

NRA interviews one of the leaders of the International Romani Union Normunds Rudevics about Romani passports. The Romani Union recently began to issue Romani passports to Roma people in various countries which cost EUR 30. According to Mr. Rudevics, such passports confirm that its holder is ethnic Roma. Mr. Rudevics believes that it is very important for Roma people to legalize themselves as nation in order to change attitude towards them and participate in the world processes, for example, to participate in Olympic Games as a separate Roma nation.

According to an opinion poll held by a research company GfK, the most popular political party in Latvia is the Concord Centre – it is supported by 14% of citizens. New political union Unity which unites the New Era, the Civic Union and the Society for Different Politics is supported by 14% of respondents. The Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 7%. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of respondents. Diena