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.

• 133 persons renounced Latvian citizenship in favour of foreign citizenship since the beginning of the year
• Swedish diplomat Lars Freden presented a book about formation of the citizenship institute and policy towards ethnic minorities

According to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, 133 persons renounced Latvian citizenship in favour of foreign citizenship since the beginning of the year. This is 13% fewer renunciations than in 2010. The majority of ex-Latvian citizens choose citizenship of Russia, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands and Belarus. Latvian citizen can renounce citizenship only if he or she is citizen of other country or it is guaranteed that he or she would receive foreign citizenship upon renunciation of Latvian citizenship.

According to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, 133 persons renounced Latvian citizenship in favour of foreign citizenship since the beginning of the year. This is 13% fewer renunciations than in 2010. The majority of ex-Latvian citizens choose citizenship of Russia, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands and Belarus. Latvian citizen can renounce citizenship only if he or she is citizen of other country or it is guaranteed that he or she would receive foreign citizenship upon renunciation of Latvian citizenship. Chas

The Swedish diplomat and ex-head of the Swedish consular in Riga Lars Freden presented a book “Returnings - Swedish

The Swedish diplomat and ex-head of the Swedish consular in Riga Lars Freden presented a book Returnings - Swedish Security Policy and the Baltic Countries during their First Years of Independence 1991-1994. The book focuses on formation of the citizenship institute and policy towards ethnic minorities. Mr Freden believes that the European legal norms were not violated by not granting citizenship to the residents who arrived to Latvia and Estonia during the Soviet times and their descendants. Mr Freden positively evaluates coexistence of representatives of various ethnicities in the Baltic countries stressing that no ethnic Russian was killed by Baltic nationalists. Telegraf