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.

• Interviews with Ombudsman candidate Juris Jansons
• A photo exhibition of Riga Old Orthodox Parish
• The State Language Centre begun administrative process against the Central Statistical Bureau

Diena and Latvijas Avize interviewed Ombudsman candidate Juris Jansons, who is currently occupies the post of the liquidator of the health insurance holding company Rigas Slimokase. He believes the position of the Ombudsman holds sufficient amount of power. The main function of the Ombudsman is to facilitate human rights in the country, to mediate between the individual, the society and the state. While nearly all groups of society are facing risks, the most pressing human rights issues mentioned by Juris Jansons are discrimination, rights of the children and disabled, social protection issues and ethnic intolerance. In the meantime, the first priority of the Ombudsman is to reduce the level of intolerance in the society. Juris Jansons believes it is important for the Ombudsman to possess the skills of efficient administrator and organiser, especially given the history of conflicts within the Office.

A photo exhibition “Riga Grebenschikov Parish: Spiritual Cultural Heritage and Modernity” was opened at the Riga City Council. The exhibition is celebrating 250th anniversary of the church building of the Riga Grebenschikov parish of Russian Old Orthodox Church of Pomorian Agreement. The exhibition presents various historical stages of development of the building, collection of icons and books, some of which were kept since XVI century, as well as presents current activities of the parish, including Sunday school, Spiritual Academy, museum, almshouse for elderly care.

A photo exhibition Riga Grebenschikov Parish: Spiritual Cultural Heritage and Modernity was opened at the Riga City Council. The exhibition is celebrating 250th anniversary of the church building of the Riga Grebenschikov parish of Russian Old Orthodox Church of Pomorian Agreement. The exhibition presents various historical stages of development of the building, collection of icons and books, some of which were kept since XVI century, as well as presents current activities of the parish, including Sunday school, Spiritual Academy, museum, almshouse for elderly care. Telegraf

Newspapers report that the State Language Centre (SLC) begun administrative process against the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB). The SLC received a complaint from the MP Karlis Sadurskis (“Unity”), who is concerned with the fact that the letter distributed by the CSB to inform about the upcoming population census, was also translated into Russian language. The SCB explains that it has taken into consideration the real composition of the population (59,4% ethnic Latvians, 27,6% ethnic Russians), and points at the need to ensure that the data of the population census are not distorted by linguistic abilities of the people. The SLC argues that the State Language Law stipulates that the documents issued by the state should be in the state language only, while legislation permits private mass media to publish information in Russian.

Newspapers report that the State Language Centre (SLC) begun administrative process against the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB). The SLC received a complaint from the MP Karlis Sadurskis (Unity), who is concerned with the fact that the letter distributed by the CSB to inform about the upcoming population census, was also translated into Russian language. The SCB explains that it has taken into consideration the real composition of the population (59,4% ethnic Latvians, 27,6% ethnic Russians), and points at the need to ensure that the data of the population census are not distorted by linguistic abilities of the people. The SLC argues that the State Language Law stipulates that the documents issued by the state should be in the state language only, while legislation permits private mass media to publish information in Russian. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti-Segodnya