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 about an 84-year-old woman who has to pass state language proficiency test in order to receive permanent residence permit
• Deputy of the Jurmala City Council Janis Kuzins: a group of persons intentionally damages cars decorated with St. George ribbons in the city
• Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council Europe Tomas Hammarberg promised to help to open first grade Russian class in Tukums
• Latvijas Avize reports about a seminar on the impact of Russian information space on the Baltic States

Chas reports about an 84-year-old woman who lives in Latvia for several years and in order to receive permanent residence permit she has to pass the state language proficiency test. The woman has only temporary residence permit which does not provide her social insurance. Despite her age, the woman went to Latvian language courses and passed the examination. However, the state language proficiency level she received is not high enough to receive the permanent residence permit. Representative of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) in an interview with the newspaper stated that work on draft regulations aimed at easier examination process for several groups of people is stopped. The representative of the OCMA also considers that such regulations which would ease state language requirements for old people could be considered as discrimination.

According to the Deputy of the Jurmala City Council Janis Kuzins, unknown persons damaged his personal car which was decorated with St. George ribbon (used as commemoration of victory in WWII). Mr. Kuzins also considers that there is a group of persons who intentionally damages cars decorated with St. George ribbons in Jurmala. However, the police do not confirm the fact.

According to the Deputy of the Jurmala City Council Janis Kuzins, unknown persons damaged his personal car which was decorated with St. George ribbon (used as commemoration of victory in WWII). Mr. Kuzins also considers that there is a group of persons who intentionally damages cars decorated with St. George ribbons in Jurmala. However, the police do not confirm the fact. Chas, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports that parents of children who were refused to be accepted into the first grade class with Russian language of instructions in Tukums 3rd secondary school turned to the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council Europe Tomas Hammarberg. The parents asked the Commissioner to help them in opening of the Russian language class because there are no other Russian first grade classes in Tukums. According to the newspaper, the Commissioner promised to help in this situation. As reported, Tukums City Council refused to grant funding for new school year for the first grade class with Russian language of instructions in the only school in the city with Russian language classes despite the fact that there were 14 children enlisted to attend the class.

Latvijas Avize reports about a seminar held by the Eastern Europe Policy Research Centre on the impact of Russian information space on Baltic States. According to the seminar participants, active Russias policy regarding Russian compatriots abroad and growing impact of Russian mass media in Latvia promotes self-sufficiency of Russian language and hinders unity of Latvian society.