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.

• 67% of foreign students faced discrimination in Latvia
• Vesti Segodnya reports about the third European Russian Forum
• International organisation The Equal Rights Trust criticizes amendments to the Law on Pensions which stipulate reduction of pensions of Latvian citizens as a way to eliminate discrimination of non-citizens

According to a survey held in the framework of a project “Latvia – Equality in Diversity IV” funded by the European Commission, 67% of foreign students who study in five Latvian higher education establishments faced discrimination in Latvia. 33% faced ethnic and racial discrimination, 30% faced language discrimination. Almost 40% of foreign students had problems due to language barrier and the same number faced difficulties in obtaining some kind of information. 35% faced difficulties in receiving medical care, solving problems in the hostel, and satisfying their preferences in the public catering.

According to a survey held in the framework of a project Latvia – Equality in Diversity IV funded by the European Commission, 67% of foreign students who study in five Latvian higher education establishments faced discrimination in Latvia. 33% faced ethnic and racial discrimination, 30% faced language discrimination. Almost 40% of foreign students had problems due to language barrier and the same number faced difficulties in obtaining some kind of information. 35% faced difficulties in receiving medical care, solving problems in the hostel, and satisfying their preferences in the public catering. Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports about the third European Russian Forum held by the European Russian Alliance. Representatives of Russian speaking diasporas from various European countries including Latvia took part in the Forum. The participants decided to appeal to the top officials of the Council of Europe, the European Commission and Russia, asking to grant the status of the EU regional language to Russian language, thus widening Russian languages rights in the EU countries.

Telegraf reports that the international organisation The Equal Rights Trust criticizes amendments to the Law on Pensions which stipulate reduction of pensions of Latvian citizens as a way to eliminate discrimination of non-citizens. As reported, years of employment outside of Latvia during Soviet times are included only into citizens total length of service, while, Latvian non-citizens do not receive pension for these years. As a response to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in favour of a Latvian pensioner, non-citizen Natalija Andrejeva who objected this fact, the Saeima adopted the amendments which stipulate that the same approach will be used in calculating pensions for persons retiring after 1 January 2010 and the time of Soviet-era employment outside of Latvia will not be included neither for citizens nor non-citizens. The Equal Rights Trust believes that such regressive approach does not remedy discrimination, because it is contrary to Latvias international obligations and to the practice of the European Court of Justice.