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.

• Latvijas Avize questions high officials on whether Vladimir Linderman should be granted Latvian citizenship
• National Council of Electronic Mass Media accuses channel TV5 of discrediting Latvia
• Citizenship Law Implementation Committee may also work on society consolidation issues

Latvijas Avize questions high officials on whether Vladimir Linderman should be granted Latvian citizenship even if he undergoes the naturalisation procedure. The President of Latvia Andris Berzins believes that the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers whether persons should be granted citizenship is a political decision. The President reminds that there were cases when some persons were refused Latvian citizenship and later such decisions were also upheld by the court. The Speaker of the Saeima Solvita Āboltiņa believes that the granting of citizenship is not only a legal act but being a citizen also means being loyal and respectful towards your state, its culture, traditions and language. The Speaker believes that the activities of Mr Linderman show that he is not loyal but hostile towards Latvia and he must not be granted Latvian citizenship. Vladimir Linderman is a radical left wing activist known for his activities in the support of Russian speakers and the Russian language in Latvia. He joined the Russian National Bolshevik party in 1997, became leader of the Latvian chapter, and resided illegally in Russia from 2002 until his extradition to Latvia in 2008.

The National Council of Electronic Mass Media (NCEMM) opened an administrative case against channel TV5 concerning the violation of Electronic Mass Media Law. The NCEMM believes that one of the news stories broadcast by TV5 discredited Latvia as a state. One of the interviewed persons in the news story said that Latvia is a fascistic country. The Council considers that such comment was broadcast purposefully as it was not a live broadcast.

The National Council of Electronic Mass Media (NCEMM) opened an administrative case against channel TV5 concerning the violation of Electronic Mass Media Law. The NCEMM believes that one of the news stories broadcast by TV5 discredited Latvia as a state. One of the interviewed persons in the news story said that Latvia is a fascistic country. The Council considers that such comment was broadcast purposefully as it was not a live broadcast. Latvijas Avize

Members of the Saeima Citizenship Law Implementation Committee discussed possible alternatives for renaming the Committee. The head of the Committee Ilmars Latkovskis (member of the nationalists’ union All for Latvia-FF/LNIM) considered that the work of the commission should be wider and include issues on society consolidation. The MPs proposed to rename the Committee as the Committee of National Unity and Identity or the Committee of Consolidation of Society. The discussion on the issue will continue.

Members of the Saeima Citizenship Law Implementation Committee discussed possible alternatives for renaming the Committee. The head of the Committee Ilmars Latkovskis (member of the nationalists union All for Latvia-FF/LNIM) considered that the work of the commission should be wider and include issues on society consolidation. The MPs proposed to rename the Committee as the Committee of National Unity and Identity or the Committee of Consolidation of Society. The discussion on the issue will continue. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize