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 proposes draft amendments to the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers stipulating the procedure of granting Latvian citizenship
• FHRUL proposal to grant voting rights in municipal elections to non-citizens
• Deputy of Riga City Council Genadijs Kotovs points to the increased number of students in Russian-language schools

The Ministry of Justice has proposed draft amendments to the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers on naturalization procedure for the government’s review. According to the draft amendments, disabled persons of the Group I and Group II with progressive mental disease as well as all deaf and deaf-and-dumb persons will be released from the naturalization tests in Latvian history and in Latvian language grammar. The graduates of secondary schools will be released from the test in Latvian language only if s/he has one of three highest language proficiency categories – A, B, C. At present, graduates with category D are also released from the test. The draft amendments also stipulate that if an applicant does not pass one of the tests (in Latvian language, Latvian history and the Constitution of Latvia) for a second time, the Naturalisation Board suspends the review of her or his application for naturalisation.

The Ministry of Justice has proposed draft amendments to the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers on naturalization procedure for the governments review. According to the draft amendments, disabled persons of the Group I and Group II with progressive mental disease as well as all deaf and deaf-and-dumb persons will be released from the naturalization tests in Latvian history and in Latvian language grammar. The graduates of secondary schools will be released from the test in Latvian language only if s/he has one of three highest language proficiency categories – A, B, C. At present, graduates with category D are also released from the test. The draft amendments also stipulate that if an applicant does not pass one of the tests (in Latvian language, Latvian history and the Constitution of Latvia) for a second time, the Naturalisation Board suspends the review of her or his application for naturalisation. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The parliamentary faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) has proposed draft amendments to the Constitution of Latvia. According to the draft amendments, voting rights in the municipal election are granted not only to Latvian citizens and citizens of the EU, but also to Latvian non-citizens.

The parliamentary faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) has proposed draft amendments to the Constitution of Latvia. According to the draft amendments, voting rights in the municipal election are granted not only to Latvian citizens and citizens of the EU, but also to Latvian non-citizens. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The member of Riga City Council Genadijs Kotovs (FHRUL) refers to the data of Riga City School Board concerning the number of students in Riga schools. According to Genadijs Kotovs, the previous academic year was critical for Russian-language schools: “the number of students in Riga decreased for 8.000 or for 17 percent. For the first time, the number of students in Russian schools was smaller as compared to the Latvian schools.” However, regarding the current academic year, the number of the first grade pupils in Russian-language schools has exceeded the number of first grade students in Latvian-language schools. This year, the total number of students in Russian-language schools has increased for 1.500. The number of students in Russian schools had a tendency to decrease in average for 3.000 a year during the last 15 years.

The member of Riga City Council Genadijs Kotovs (FHRUL) refers to the data of Riga City School Board concerning the number of students in Riga schools. According to Genadijs Kotovs, the previous academic year was critical for Russian-language schools: the number of students in Riga decreased for 8.000 or for 17 percent. For the first time, the number of students in Russian schools was smaller as compared to the Latvian schools. However, regarding the current academic year, the number of the first grade pupils in Russian-language schools has exceeded the number of first grade students in Latvian-language schools. This year, the total number of students in Russian-language schools has increased for 1.500. The number of students in Russian schools had a tendency to decrease in average for 3.000 a year during the last 15 years. Vesti Segodnya