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.

• Diena interviews head of the Saeima’s Society Consolidation Committee Ilmars Latkovskis
• Nationalists’ union again elaborated new proposals to the Immigration Law

Diena interviews head of the Saeima’s Society Consolidation Committee Ilmars Latkovskis. Mr Latkovskis believes that Russian speaking residents in Latvia is not homogenous group and, therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive study in order to understand their perceptions. Regarding coordination of projects aimed at society integration, Mr Latkovskis says that the Ministry of Culture should overtake the leading position because culture is the main component the integration process should be based on. Mr Latkovskis also believes that one of the potential unifying platforms for the society could be European values.   

Neatkariga reports that the nationalists’ union All for Latvia/FF-LNIM again elaborated new proposals to the Immigration Law restricting granting residence permits to non-EU residents. As reported, recently, the Saeima supported in the final reading the amendments raising minimal cost of a real estate for non-EU residents in order to be granted residence permit in Latvia. The new proposals stipulate granting the Cabinet of Ministers rights to suspend granting of residence permits to citizens of certain countries if there are threats to state security. Mainly the nationalists want to restrict granting residence permits to Russia’s citizens.