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.

• Russian-language newspapers develop a discussion about the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law
• An interview with a Chair of the Executive Board of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) Anastasia Crickley
• State Security Police stop activities of the camp, organised by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools

Russian-language newspapers develop a discussion about the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law, developed by the Ministry of Justice. The main criticism is about the inclusion of the criteria of loyalty to the state of Latvia. Newspapers point to the lack of clear criteria how loyalty of naturalisation applicants will be evaluated. The head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane believes that a naturalisation applicant who is not related to international terrorism, does not belong to anti-state organisations, speaks Latvian, knows the Constitution of Latvia, the Latvian history and has signed the oath of a new citizen could be regarded as loyal to the state. The draft amendments also stipulate that only persons who have lived in Latvia for 5 years permanently are entitled to Latvian citizenship. The draft amendments also foresee to ease the Latvian citizenship acquisition procedure for newborn children whose parents are Latvian non-citizens as well as to change the wording of the oath given by new citizens.

Russian-language newspapers develop a discussion about the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law, developed by the Ministry of Justice. The main criticism is about the inclusion of the criteria of loyalty to the state of Latvia. Newspapers point to the lack of clear criteria how loyalty of naturalisation applicants will be evaluated. The head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane believes that a naturalisation applicant who is not related to international terrorism, does not belong to anti-state organisations, speaks Latvian, knows the Constitution of Latvia, the Latvian history and has signed the oath of a new citizen could be regarded as loyal to the state. The draft amendments also stipulate that only persons who have lived in Latvia for 5 years permanently are entitled to Latvian citizenship. The draft amendments also foresee to ease the Latvian citizenship acquisition procedure for newborn children whose parents are Latvian non-citizens as well as to change the wording of the oath given by new citizens. Telegraf, Chas

Diena prints an interview with the Chair of the Executive Board of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) Anastasia Crickley. The Chair talks about the main forms of racism and notes that racism against Muslims, racism against people of other skin colour and discrimination against Roma are the most widespread forms of racism in Europe. Anastasia Crickley is convinced that lack of education is the main factor responsible for generation of racism, while she also notes that legislation plays an important role as well. The Chair also believes that Latvia as well as other EU member states should revise and adapt effective legislation which would restrict manifestations of intolerance and racism in society, while minorities and minority organisations should be granted the right to participate in the political decision making process.

Yesterday the State Security Police closed the youth summer camp, organised by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools in Luznava (the parish in Eastern part of Latvia). The Police argue that organisers had not got all necessary permits and agreements to organise the camp. The daily

Yesterday the State Security Police closed the youth summer camp, organised by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools in Luznava (the parish in Eastern part of Latvia). The Police argue that organisers had not got all necessary permits and agreements to organise the camp. The daily Diena claims that the Headquarter has planned the camp to be the starting pint of the new protest actions against the minority education reform and the platform for the FHRULs pre-election campaign in Rezekne where the repeated municipal elections will take place at the end of this week. Tatjana Zdanoka announced that she will ask the court to investigate legitimacy of the activities of the State Security Police and will report about this case to the Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf