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 refused the draft law stipulating the procedures for becoming ethnic Latvian
• Sestdiena prints an interview with a Spanish citizen living in Latvia for seven years

Yesterday, the Saeima refused a draft law stipulating the procedures whereby a non-ethnic Latvian can officially change his/her ethnic belonging for ethnic Latvian. As reported, the draft law provided that applicants for Latvian ethnic identity would have to meet four criteria: to be a Latvian citizen; to be a permanent resident of Latvia for at least 15 last years; to be proficient in Latvian language at the highest level; to have feeling of belonging to Latvian culture. One of the authors of the draft law MP Andrejs Judins (Unity) argued that ethnic belonging is not only origin, but also a personal sense of belonging to some culture. In its turn, MP Boriss Cilevics (Concord Centre) criticized the proposal; he argued that the state should decrease the role of formal record on ethnic belonging with the aim to ensuring real equality of all Latvian citizens.  Latvijas Avize. Vesti Segodnya, Diena

In the framework of series of articles on immigrants in Latvia, weekly magazine Sestdiena prints an interview with a Spanish Javier living in Latvia for seven years. Javier has a family in Latvia, teaches Spanish language to students and has established the Spanish Culture Centre.  Javier is proficient in Latvian language and reads Latvian literature in Latvian. Javier believes that he would easily pass naturalisation exams, but feels comfortable living in Latvia with Spanish citizenship.