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.

• Raparteur of the Council of Europe on the implementation of the Framework Convention requests information from all countries which have not ratified the Convention
• Latvijas Avize reports about publishing of the book on minorities
• Russian language newspaper claims that more and more Latvians join the party which has always been considered a Russian party
• Number of Latvians in Latvias cities

The raparteur of the Council of Europe Boris Tsilevich have sent a letter to all nine countries, including Latvia, which have not ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. In his letter Boris Tsilevich asks the countries several questions, such as whether national legislation complies with norms provided by the Convention, what are the obstacles to ratification of the Convention and what measures the states have taken to speed up the ratification.

The raparteur of the Council of Europe Boris Tsilevich have sent a letter to all nine countries, including Latvia, which have not ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. In his letter Boris Tsilevich asks the countries several questions, such as whether national legislation complies with norms provided by the Convention, what are the obstacles to ratification of the Convention and what measures the states have taken to speed up the ratification. Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize reports about the recently published book by Dr. hist. Leo Dribin ‘Ethnic and National Minorities in Latvia. The author provides a brief overview of minority histories in a number of European countries, analyses the situation in Latvia and concludes with an optimistic view at the future: ethnic conflicts have stopped spreading in Europe and hopefully Latvia will manage to avoid ethnic conflicts on its territory.

Vesti Segodnya reports that more and more Latvians have joined the left-wing union For Human Rights in the United Latvia, which has always been considered a ‘Russian party. The newspaper talks to several Latvians in Saldus who recently joined the party. They argue that they decided to join the party because it is the ‘right brand [human rights] and the party always meets its promises.

Latvijas Avize prints the data on the highest number of Latvians in Latvias biggest cities. The biggest number of Latvians is in Jelgava – 54.2%, while in Daugavpils the number of Latvians is 17% and in the capital Riga – 42%. Vesti Segodnya