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.

• Ex-President Valdis Zatlers called Russian speaking residents to vote against granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia at the referendum
• MEPs from Latvia conducted a conference Why Latvian Language should remain the Only State Language in Latvia?
• Professor Ilze Ostrovska: the referendum will promote influx of immigrants to Latvia
• Neatkariga interviewed residents of Zilupe about their attitude towards the up-coming referendum

The ex-President of Latvia, MP Valdis Zatlers came with a speech towards Russian speaking residents of Latvia calling them to vote against the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of a state language at the up-coming referendum on 18 February. Mr Zatlers called residents for concord and unity. Mr Zatlers made his speech in Russian language despite the fact while being the President he principally refused to speak in Russian.

The ex-President of Latvia, MP Valdis Zatlers came with a speech towards Russian speaking residents of Latvia calling them to vote against the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of a state language at the up-coming referendum on 18 February. Mr Zatlers called residents for concord and unity. Mr Zatlers made his speech in Russian language despite the fact while being the President he principally refused to speak in Russian. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena

Latvijas Avize reports about a conference Why Latvian Language should remain the Only State Language in Latvia? conducted by the MEPs from Latvia Inese Vaidere and Krisjanis Karins in the European Parliament. At the same time, MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka who invited to Strasbourg one of the initiators of the collection of signatures for granting Russian language status of state language in Latvia Vladimirs Lindermans conducted a press conference explaining their view about the issue.

Latvijas Avize and Neatkariga print interviews with the professor Ilze Ostrovska. Mrs Ostrovska believes that the referendum on the status of Russian language is a signal to potential immigrants that Latvia is the weakest chain in the Fortress Europe. Mrs Ostrovska believes that if Russian language is granted status of a state language it will promote influx of Russian speaking immigrants from former USSR countries, such as Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and in the future the former immigrants will claim their share of political power.

Neatkariga interviewed residents of Zilupe (city near Latvian and Russian border) about their attitude towards the up-coming referendum on status of Russian language. The majority of interviewed persons said they will support the referendum voting for granting Russian status of a state language as a protest against intolerance of ethnic Latvians. The interviewed persons believed that successful equal existence of two languages is possible.