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 Interior: granting Latvian non-citizens rights to travel within the EU without a visa has speeded the growth of international prostitution and slave-trade
• Russian MP Vladimir Zhirinovskiy: Russia will not ratify the border agreement with Latvia until it stops to oppress Russian-speakers
• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins supported a proposal to establish the Day of Citizen

Telegraf reports that the Ministry of Interior in its report on slave-traffic has concluded that granting Latvian non-citizens rights to travel within the EU without visas since January had a negative impact resulting in growth of international prostitution and slave-trade. In an interview with the newspaper, a researcher on migration issues Aija Lulle has stated that the conclusion of the Ministry is groundless because there are no indicators or statistics proving that non-citizens are those who actively go abroad to be engaged in prostitution. According to critical comments of the MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka, the Ministrys statements might be considered as an indirect hint that mainly Russian-speaking residents are engaged in prostitution in Europe.

Newspapers report that the Russian MP Vladimir Zhirinovskiy has stated that Russia will not ratify the border agreement with Latvia “until Latvian government stops to oppress Russian speaking residents.” As reported, the Latvian government has ratified the border agreement between two countries in May, while the government of the Russian Federation is planning to ratify the agreement during the summer months.

Newspapers report that the Russian MP Vladimir Zhirinovskiy has stated that Russia will not ratify the border agreement with Latvia until Latvian government stops to oppress Russian speaking residents. As reported, the Latvian government has ratified the border agreement between two countries in May, while the government of the Russian Federation is planning to ratify the agreement during the summer months. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize reports that the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins has supported a proposal of the Naturalisation Board to establish a new celebration – the Day of Citizen. Gaidis Berzins believed that the Day of Citizen would promote patriotism and pride for being Latvian citizen.