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.

• Ministry of Justice and the Naturalisation Board explain what is meant by the draft amendments on the inclusion of loyalty criteria in naturalisation procedure
• Leader of a Romani NGO about the situation of Roma in Latvia
• Court: Latvia had the right to deport Aleksandr Kazakov
• MEP from Hungary about the situation of Russians in Latvia
• 20 young people protest against the attitude of Latvia towards Russians
• Vesti Segodnya prints a report on the visit of young people to the European Parliament

The Ministry of Justice and the Naturalisation Board are concerned that the mass media too broadly interprets draft amendments to the Citizenship Law, which provide the inclusion of the loyalty criteria in naturalisation procedure recently accepted by the Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers. Both institutions stress that acquisition of Latvian citizenship through naturalisation is already the test of applicant’s loyalty towards the state. The Interior Minister highlights that each case is unique and should be evaluated on individual basis.

The Ministry of Justice and the Naturalisation Board are concerned that the mass media too broadly interprets draft amendments to the Citizenship Law, which provide the inclusion of the loyalty criteria in naturalisation procedure recently accepted by the Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers. Both institutions stress that acquisition of Latvian citizenship through naturalisation is already the test of applicants loyalty towards the state. The Interior Minister highlights that each case is unique and should be evaluated on individual basis. Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya talks to a leader of one of the Romani NGOs Gloss Leons Gindra. He states that after Latvia regained independence the situation of Roma in Latvia has worsened. The main problems are unemployment and poverty. He argues that the state has not done anything to solve the situation of Roma. His organisation has drafted a development programme and its main goal is to improve the economic situation of Roma in Latvia.

Administrative District Court (Administratīvā rajona tiesa) ruled that the decision of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Affairs to deport Aleksandr Kazakov, activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools, was legitimate. Aleksandr Kazakov will apply with European Court of Human Rights.

Administrative District Court (Administratīvā rajona tiesa) ruled that the decision of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Affairs to deport Aleksandr Kazakov, activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools, was legitimate. Aleksandr Kazakov will apply with European Court of Human Rights. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Chas talks to the MEP from Hungary Csaba Tabajdi, who is also the chair of the Inter-group of the European Parliament on Traditional Minorities. He says that ‘we are carefully following the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia. We know that the country experiences big difficulties, in particular we are concerned about mass non-citizenship…we are trying to influence the Latvian Government and Parliament.

Latvijas Avize reports on a protest meeting in the centre of Riga held by the Avant-garde of the Red Youth. About 20 people reproached Latvia for being intolerant towards Russians with slogans such as ‘Occupation built houses for you! Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya prints a detailed report on the visit of young people from the Baltic countries to the European Parliament organised a week ago. The visit was organised by MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanok. The newspaper says that a number of influential MEPs talked to the delegation and supported their concerns about the rights of Russians in the Baltic States.