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.

• Chas reports on first ever free of charge courses in Daugavpils for Roma minority members preparing to pass exam for Latvian language proficiency certificate
• Vesti Segodnya reports on a draft law which stipulates conditions for persons to change their name, surname and ethnic belonging
• Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg will visit Latvia in October
• Diena prints an article about a research Influence of Foreign Countries on Society Ethnic Integration Process in Latvia

Chas reports on first ever free of charge courses in Daugavpils for Roma minority members preparing to pass exam for Latvian language proficiency certificate. According to the head of Roma NGO in Daugavpils Me-Roma, unemployment level among Roma people is higher than among other ethnic minorities and one of the main reasons for that was absence of language proficiency certificate.

A new draft law presented at a meeting of the State Secretaries yesterday allows a person who reached the age of 15 to change his/her name, surname and ethnic belonging if these factors complicate life of a person, person wants to receive double name or surname, person changes gender or wants to return family surname. According to the draft project, if a person wants to change ethnic belonging to Latvian ethnicity s/he doesn’t need to present a document which confirms state language proficiency.

A new draft law presented at a meeting of the State Secretaries yesterday allows a person who reached the age of 15 to change his/her name, surname and ethnic belonging if these factors complicate life of a person, person wants to receive double name or surname, person changes gender or wants to return family surname. According to the draft project, if a person wants to change ethnic belonging to Latvian ethnicity s/he doesnt need to present a document which confirms state language proficiency. Vesti Segodnya

The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg will come with an official visit to Latvia in the beginning of October.

The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg will come with an official visit to Latvia in the beginning of October. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Diena prints an article by the Executive Director of the Centre for Eastern European Political Studies (CEPS) Andis Kudors about a research Influence of Foreign Countries on Society Ethnic Integration Process in Latvia conducted by the CEPS. According to the results of the research, Western countries and international organisations have had a positive influence on society integration process in Latvia, although, influence of the Russian Federation has hindered integration process. The authors of the research concluded that Russian institutions have tried to promote parallel integration of Russian speaking residents of Latvia towards Russia. According to the research, Russian influence is aimed against Latvian ethnic integration policy and contradicts Latvian legal acts concerning the state language.