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.

• Vesti Segodnya interviews activist for rights of non-citizens Vladimirs Buzajevs about differences in rights of citizens and non-citizens
• Academic Juris Rozenvalds: Concord Centre has monopolised all Russian speaking electorate

Vesti Segodnya interviews activist for rights of non-citizens, ex-MP Vladimirs Buzajevs about differences in rights of citizens and non-citizens. According to Mr Buzajevs, the differences in rights do not decrease during the past 10 years period and currently there are about 80 differences. Mr Buzajevs says that some old restrictions were abolished, yet some new were introduced. There is international pressure to abolish some of restrictions, yet some of the restrictions that were abolished following recommendations of human rights experts, were re-introduced again. Besides very significant differences such as reduced pensions, the ban for non-citizens to vote in elections, work in police, limitations to own land, and others, there are also some new and absurd limitations such as ban to work in the management of especially dangerous (toxic and radioactive) garbage, ban to work as patentors, and the ban to work as official in the Registry Office. Mr.Buzajevs points out that those immigrants to Latvia who have citizenship of other EU countries, have more rights than the local non-citizens of Latvia, such as voting or purchasing land. Vladimirs Buzajevs plans to publish the updated list of differences between citizens and non-citizens.

Latvijas Avize interviews academic Juris Rozenvalds about political participation of ethnic minorities. According to Mr Rozenvalds, the Concord Centre (CC) has monopolised all Russian speaking electorate and this is dangerous to Latvia’s politics because decreases political competitiveness. Mr Rozenvals believes the CC as well as other so called “Russian” parties were excluded from the government all past 20 years not because of their social economic program but because it was deliberate choice of governing politicians to prevent "Russians" from coming to power. Mr Rozenvalds believes that exclusion of representatives of Russians speaking residents also leaves impact on state’s development. At the same time, inclusion of the CC in the government would help to reduce tension and to let them take political responsibility.