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.

• Concord Centre asked the President of Latvia Andris Berzins not to proclaim the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law
• Ministry of the Environmental Protection and Regional Development withdrew its opinion about the Law on Higher Education Establishments
• MP Raivis Dzintars calls the Russia’s Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov to apologise for denial of occupation of Latvia

 The Saeima’s faction of the Concord Centre appealed to the President of Latvia Andris Berzins asking him not to proclaim the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law adopted by the Saeima. The Concord Centre considers that the legal provisions about dual citizenship divide the world countries into “right” and “wrong” and also discriminate Latvian citizens who reside in the countries which are not listed among the „right” ones. As reported, the new draft amendments allow Latvian citizens to have dual citizenship with countries members of the EU, the European Free Trade Association, the NATO or Australia, Brazil, and New Zeeland, or countries concluded treaties on recognition of dual citizenship with Latvia. Russia, CIS countries, and Israel are not included in this list despite relatively high number of Latvians residing there. Vesti Segodnya, Neatkariga, Latvijas Avize

The Ministry of the Environmental Protection and Regional Development withdrew its opinion about the Law on Higher Education Establishments about usage of foreign languages in the study process as it does not reflect the Minister’s and the Ministry’s management’s position. As reported, the opinion prepared by the officials of the Ministry contained the idea that usage of Russian language in the study process in universities and colleges would raise their competitiveness. However, the Minister and the State Secretary of the Ministry responding to the critics about such idea stated that they were not aware that it is included in the Ministry’s opinion about the draft law. Latvijas Avize

The leader of the nationalists’ union All for Latvia!-FF/LNIM Raivis Dzintars calls the Russia’s Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov to apologise to the victims of Soviet occupation for his denial of the occupation of Latvia. In an interview to a local TV channel, the Ambassador stated: “there was no occupation of Latvia by the USSR, but there was liberation and victory over Nazi Germany.”  Vesti Segodnya