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.

• Minister of Justice Solvita Aboltina talks about amendments to the Citizenship Law
• So-called Russian parties are not ready to collaborate with the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia
• More news on unofficial immigrants from Somalia
• Annual Livs Days in Mazirbe

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Minister of Justice Solvita Aboltina about amendments to the Citizenship Law. According to the Minister, the amendments foresee to ease the Latvian citizenship acquisition procedure for newborn children whose parents are Latvian non-citizens. The amendments will also introduce changes in the oath given by new citizens and will set clearer criteria. Telegraf writes that the formation of a professional army in Latvia may result in the rise of naturalisation applicants. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The other so-called Russian parties – the Harmony Centre and the union of political parties Fatherland and Latvia’s Socialist Party – are not ready to respond to the call of the union For Human rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) about the consolidation of parties. The representative of the Harmony Centre Janis Urbanovics states that the proposal of FHRUL is provocative and aimed at splitting society.  Janis Urbanovics and the leader of the Motherland Jurijs Zuravlovs do not support the suggestion of FHRUL to fight for granting the Russian language the official status in Latvia. The leader of the Latvia’s Socialist Party Alfreds Rubiks believes that all children should be granted the right to learn in their mother tongue, however, he does not agree that that the rights of only one – Russian linguistic group – should be highlighted. According to Alfreds Rubiks, his party does not support the involvement of children into protest actions. According to the members of the political parties interviewed, FHRUL has not informed them about the desire to consolidate. As reported, FHRUL announced about the necessity to achieve unity among so-called Russian-parties and then achieve granting of the official status to the Russian language, the renewal of the public education system of all levels in the Russian language and solving the mass non-citizenship.

The other so-called Russian parties – the Harmony Centre and the union of political parties Fatherland and Latvias Socialist Party – are not ready to respond to the call of the union For Human rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) about the consolidation of parties. The representative of the Harmony Centre Janis Urbanovics states that the proposal of FHRUL is provocative and aimed at splitting society. Janis Urbanovics and the leader of the Motherland Jurijs Zuravlovs do not support the suggestion of FHRUL to fight for granting the Russian language the official status in Latvia. The leader of the Latvias Socialist Party Alfreds Rubiks believes that all children should be granted the right to learn in their mother tongue, however, he does not agree that that the rights of only one – Russian linguistic group – should be highlighted. According to Alfreds Rubiks, his party does not support the involvement of children into protest actions. According to the members of the political parties interviewed, FHRUL has not informed them about the desire to consolidate. As reported, FHRUL announced about the necessity to achieve unity among so-called Russian-parties and then achieve granting of the official status to the Russian language, the renewal of the public education system of all levels in the Russian language and solving the mass non-citizenship. Latvijas Avize

Newspapers continue to write about seven unoffcial immigrants from Somalia who were detained on Friday and placed in the Olaine refugee camp by the Boarder Guard. According to the newspapers, the Boarder Guard will decide whether the detainees are illegal immigrants and should be deported from Latvia. The refugees have the right to seek for asylum in Latvia.

Newspapers continue to write about seven unoffcial immigrants from Somalia who were detained on Friday and placed in the Olaine refugee camp by the Boarder Guard. According to the newspapers, the Boarder Guard will decide whether the detainees are illegal immigrants and should be deported from Latvia. The refugees have the right to seek for asylum in Latvia. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya

Diena reports on celebration of the annual Livs Days in Mazirbe last weekend.