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.

• 105,648 persons have received Latvian citizenship through naturalisation
• Leader of the party The Concord Centre comments on the MPs decision to control naturalization exams
• FF/LNIM accuses the Integration Ministry of violation of the State Language Law
• Aleksandr Kazakov about relations between Russians and Latvians
• Head of the Saeimas National Security Committee Indulis Emsis proposed to introduce more rigid legal norms to curb infringement on religious beliefs in the press

From the beginning of naturalisation process in 1995, Latvian citizenship has been granted to 105,648 persons, including 12,367 minors who received citizenship together with their parents. Besides, 4,666 children of Latvian non-citizens born after 21 August 1991 were granted Latvian citizenship through registration.

From the beginning of naturalisation process in 1995, Latvian citizenship has been granted to 105,648 persons, including 12,367 minors who received citizenship together with their parents. Besides, 4,666 children of Latvian non-citizens born after 21 August 1991 were granted Latvian citizenship through registration. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, NRA, Latvijas Vestnesis

The leader of the political party “The Concord Centre” Nils Ushakovs believes that MPs, who represent right-wing governing parties, decided to form a group of MPs who will control the way naturalization exams are taken place because those MPs are afraid of the growing number of new citizens and that they would vote for so called Russian parties. Therefore, Nils Ushakovs encourages all non-citizens, who are willing to become the citizens of Latvia, to go to the Naturalisation Board and apply for Latvian citizenship.

The leader of the political party The Concord Centre Nils Ushakovs believes that MPs, who represent right-wing governing parties, decided to form a group of MPs who will control the way naturalization exams are taken place because those MPs are afraid of the growing number of new citizens and that they would vote for so called Russian parties. Therefore, Nils Ushakovs encourages all non-citizens, who are willing to become the citizens of Latvia, to go to the Naturalisation Board and apply for Latvian citizenship. Vesti Segodnya

The political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM considers that the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration (IUMSILS in Latvian acronym) had violated the State Language Law which provides that state institutions should provide information only in the state language. FF/LNIM notes that the IUMSILS provides its promotional booklets also in minority languages.

The political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM considers that the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration (IUMSILS in Latvian acronym) had violated the State Language Law which provides that state institutions should provide information only in the state language. FF/LNIM notes that the IUMSILS provides its promotional booklets also in minority languages. Telegraf

The ex-activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Aleksandr Kazakov, who was expelled from Latvia and included in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia, in an interview with

The ex-activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Aleksandr Kazakov, who was expelled from Latvia and included in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia, in an interview with Vesti Segodnya stated that he will continue to fight for his rights to live in Latvia. Aleksandr Kazakov also stated that parties which are Russian-oriented have no future in Latvia, because of growing nationalism and efforts of ruling parties to strengthen mono-ethnical state system. The Russian parties must come out with their offers to the Latvian community… I believe that Latvias future depends on the dialog between Latvian and Russian communities, which has not been launched yet, said Kazakov.

The Head of the Saeima’s National Security Committee Indulis Emsis proposed to introduce more rigid regulations to curb infringement on one’s religious beliefs in the press. However, human rights experts consider that general and abstract limitations would threaten freedom of speech in the media. Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris believes that infringement on one’s religious beliefs has a very broad interpretation, therefore, if MPs decide to introduce such amendments, they should be very precise.

The Head of the Saeimas National Security Committee Indulis Emsis proposed to introduce more rigid regulations to curb infringement on ones religious beliefs in the press. However, human rights experts consider that general and abstract limitations would threaten freedom of speech in the media. Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris believes that infringement on ones religious beliefs has a very broad interpretation, therefore, if MPs decide to introduce such amendments, they should be very precise. Diena