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.

• Provisional results of the national census: 2,067 887 residents live Latvia
• SKDS presented the MPs results of the research on common and different perceptions of ethnic Latvians and Russian speakers
• Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov criticized Latvia for unsolved problem with large-scale non-citizenship and for restrictions on usage of Russian language

Newspapers report about the provisional results of the national census conducted in 2011. In total, 2,067 887 residents live Latvia. This is 13 % less than in 2000. Regarding the ethnic proportion, the percentage of ethnic Latvians among Latvian residents has grown – from 57,7% in 2000 up to 62,1% in 2011, while percentage of ethnic Russian residents decreased – from 29,6% in 2000 down to 26,9 at present. 3,3% of Latvian residents are Belorussians, 2,2% - Ukrainians, 2,2 % - Polish, 1,2% - Lithuanians and 2,1% of representatives of other ethnicities. The proportion of Latvian citizens has grown – from 74,5% in 2000 to 84%, while the proportion of non-citizens has decreased – from 21% down to 14% at present.

Newspapers report about the provisional results of the national census conducted in 2011. In total, 2,067 887 residents live Latvia. This is 13 % less than in 2000. Regarding the ethnic proportion, the percentage of ethnic Latvians among Latvian residents has grown – from 57,7% in 2000 up to 62,1% in 2011, while percentage of ethnic Russian residents decreased – from 29,6% in 2000 down to 26,9 at present. 3,3% of Latvian residents are Belorussians, 2,2% - Ukrainians, 2,2 % - Polish, 1,2% - Lithuanians and 2,1% of representatives of other ethnicities. The proportion of Latvian citizens has grown – from 74,5% in 2000 to 84%, while the proportion of non-citizens has decreased – from 21% down to 14% at present. Diena, Chas, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnya

Head of the marketing and public opinion research centre SKDS Arnis Kaktins presented the members of the Saeima’s Citizenship Law Implementation Committee with the results of a research “Indicators of ethnic unity.” According to it, the biggest differences in the perceptions of ethnic Latvians and Russians speakers is in the opinion about historical issues such as forced incorporation of Latvia into the USSR in 1940. 69% of ethnic Latvians and 17% of Russian speakers believe that Latvia was incorporated by force, while 11% of ethnic Latvians and 55% of Russian speakers believe that Latvia was included in the USSR voluntary.

Head of the marketing and public opinion research centre SKDS Arnis Kaktins presented the members of the Saeimas Citizenship Law Implementation Committee with the results of a research Indicators of ethnic unity. According to it, the biggest differences in the perceptions of ethnic Latvians and Russians speakers is in the opinion about historical issues such as forced incorporation of Latvia into the USSR in 1940. 69% of ethnic Latvians and 17% of Russian speakers believe that Latvia was incorporated by force, while 11% of ethnic Latvians and 55% of Russian speakers believe that Latvia was included in the USSR voluntary. Vesti Segodnya

The Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov criticized Latvia for unsolved problem with large-scale non-citizenship and for restrictions on usage of Russian language. Regarding the initiative to conduct the national referendum on granting Russian language the status of a state language in Latvia, Mr Lavrov stated that Russian speaking residents are motivated by the aspiration to justice in order to gain respect and rights to use their native language as they want.

The Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov criticized Latvia for unsolved problem with large-scale non-citizenship and for restrictions on usage of Russian language. Regarding the initiative to conduct the national referendum on granting Russian language the status of a state language in Latvia, Mr Lavrov stated that Russian speaking residents are motivated by the aspiration to justice in order to gain respect and rights to use their native language as they want. Chas