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.

• State Language Centre does not allow the translation of the displays at the regional train stations into foreign language
• Latvijas Avize criticizes the Annual Report of the Amnesty International about situation in Latvia

The State Language Centre (SLC) does not allow the railway passengers transportation company to write translated words in English on the displays at the regional train stations of the two popular tourist destinations. The transportation company wanted to translate such words as “departure”, “route”, “platform”, “number”, “arrival” and write those with small letters in English under Latvian titles. The SLC argues that the law forbids the state companies to put titles in foreign languages because those endanger Latvian language. The SLC suggests two options how to “help” tourists - to indicate a phone number of information service for tourists where they can call and ask some information and the second is to issue booklets for tourists with information in their language. However, such booklets cannot be put at public places because the legal provisions do not allow it for the state companies and institutions, thus those can be given to clients only on request. Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize reports about the Annual Report of the Amnesty International which mentionsLatvia among the countries which violate human rights. The Amnesty International Report criticizes situation with large scale non-citizenship inLatvia saying that the stateless status deepens poverty and isolation of these people. Commenting the Report, the Ombudsman Juris Jansons stated that from the legal aspect the non-citizens are guaranteed the same social and economic rights as the citizens and the only difference is that non-citizens lack civil and political rights. The Ombudsman believes that a part of non-citizens does not want to receive Latvian citizenship as it would limit their social benefits granted by other countries, for instanceRussia. According to the Ombudsman, citizenship is not a gift – it can be whether inherited or granted through naturalisation. Head of the Saeima’s Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee, MP Inara Murniece (radical nationalists’ union All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM) also criticized the Report saying that human rights situation in Latvia is good and it is strange to hear that Latvia is being reproached for violation of human rights. Mrs Murniece believes the report is biased, manipulative and blackens Latvia.