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.

• Saeima repeatedly refused the proposal to grant the Orthodox Christmas the status of a bank-holiday
• State Language Centre receives complaints on violations of the State language Law more frequently
• Diena interviews state language inspector in Daugavpils
• Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the Minister of Culture Zanete Jaunzeme-Grende about integration issues

Yesterday, the Saeima repeatedly refused the proposal of the Concord Centre to grant the Orthodox and Old Believers Christmas (7 January) the status of a bank-holiday. 46 MPs voted against the proposal, 43 voted for, one MP abstained from the voting, four MPs did not take part in it. After the voting, members of the Concord Centre blamed the MP, leader of the Zatlers Reforms Party Valdis Zatlers in double-facedness because two weeks ago he stated that he supports granting the 7 January status of a public holiday. However, neither Mr Zatlers nor other members of the party supported the proposal. Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize, Diena

According to the State Language Centre (SLC), during the two first months of 2012, it has received more complaints on violations of the State Language Law than usually. During January and February of 2012, the SLC received 140 written and 54 oral complaints which is 1,5 times more than during the same period in 2011. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Diena interviews state language inspector in Daugavpils (city in the eastern part of Latvia.) According to the inspector, the most frequent violations of the State Language Law in the city are insufficient usage of Latvian language at work in state and municipal institutions and insufficient usage of Latvian in communication.

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the Minister of Culture Zanete Jaunzeme-Grende about integration issues. The Minister believes that the biggest problem of integration in Latvia is in the different historical memory among Latvian residents. Therefore, it is very important that history subject in all Latvian schools has common content. The Minister also believes that at present the environment for integration is very aggressive and only by showing respect towards each other it is possible to change it.