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.

• 44% of naturalisation applicants fail naturalisation exams
• Study: majority of students of ethnic minority schools have positive attitude towards Latvian language
• Ombudsman Juris Jansons presented the strategy for 2011-2013
• MPs discussed the new draft integration program

According to a study conducted by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, 44% of naturalisation applicants fail naturalisation exams. On 1 January 2011, 14,6% of Latvian residents had the status of Latvian non-citizen. Regarding the reasons why non-citizens do not naturalise, 27% state that they cannot pass the naturalisation test, 24% believe that citizenship should be granted to them automatically, 17% are waiting for easier naturalisation procedures, 14% prefer to keep the status of non-citizen because it is easier to travel to the CIS countries, 8% do not have time for naturalisation, and 4% state that they do not want to have Latvian citizenship.

According to a study conducted by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, 44% of naturalisation applicants fail naturalisation exams. On 1 January 2011, 14,6% of Latvian residents had the status of Latvian non-citizen. Regarding the reasons why non-citizens do not naturalise, 27% state that they cannot pass the naturalisation test, 24% believe that citizenship should be granted to them automatically, 17% are waiting for easier naturalisation procedures, 14% prefer to keep the status of non-citizen because it is easier to travel to the CIS countries, 8% do not have time for naturalisation, and 4% state that they do not want to have Latvian citizenship. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

According to a study “Factors Influencing Mastering and Usage of Latvian Language” commissioned by the State Language Agency, majority of students of ethnic minority schools have positive attitude towards Latvian language and want to study it. At the same time, 89% of students consider that Russian language should have status of second official language in Latvia. Students of minority schools the most often use Latvian in schools and in shops. The majority of ethnic minority students use Russian language informative space. 

According to a study Factors Influencing Mastering and Usage of Latvian Language commissioned by the State Language Agency, majority of students of ethnic minority schools have positive attitude towards Latvian language and want to study it. At the same time, 89% of students consider that Russian language should have status of second official language in Latvia. Students of minority schools the most often use Latvian in schools and in shops. The majority of ethnic minority students use Russian language informative space. Chas, Latvijas Avize

Yesterday, the Ombudsman Juris Jansons presented the strategy for 2011-2013. The main issues mentioned in the strategy are civil and political rights, elimination of discrimination and hate crimes, social and economical rights, criminal rights, good governance and rights of children.  The Ombudsman also will pay close attention to the rights of detained foreigners and problems of asylum seekers.

Yesterday, the Ombudsman Juris Jansons presented the strategy for 2011-2013. The main issues mentioned in the strategy are civil and political rights, elimination of discrimination and hate crimes, social and economical rights, criminal rights, good governance and rights of children. The Ombudsman also will pay close attention to the rights of detained foreigners and problems of asylum seekers. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas

Telegraf reports about a meeting of the Saeimas Committee on Education and Culture which discussed the new draft integration program. The majority of the MPs supported the draft guidelines of the program according to which integration should be based on Latvian language, and ethnic Latvian values and culture.