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.

• Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens on integration in Latvia

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens on integration in Latvia. The Minister believes that granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections would ensure their involvement in political process and in such way would promote integration. However, Mr. Kastens believes that if non-citizens are granted voting right they may lose one of the incentives for naturalisation. The Minister also believes that cancelling naturalisation fees for older people and introduction of other additional benefits could encourage naturalisation. Oskars Kastens considers that Russian language political parties represented in Latvian parliament are contributing to stability and preventing ethnic tensions and radicalisation in the country, because Russian speakers perceive these parties as an opportunity to influence processes in country and to present their position before the state authorities.