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.

• Weekly magazine Sestdiena features an interview with the Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris.

In an interview with

In an interview with Sestdiena, Ms. Brands Kehris criticizes the developments in integration policy in Latvia and the assignment of integration issues to the Ministry of Culture. Ms. Brands Kehris believes that the present integration definition as used by the Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte (former editor-in-chief of the national daily Diena and exponent of open society) whereby ethnic minorities switch to ethnic Latvian cultural values, is assimilation. Commenting on the controversy around the MP Valerijs Kravcovs (criticized for poor Latvian skills) she believes the parties and the electorate should assume the responsibility that MPs are proficient in Latvian, and that the Saeima does not have the right to deprive him of his mandate. Ms Brands Kehris criticises the activities of the State Language Centre in employing restrictive and repressive measures that cause negative attitude towards Latvian, while the emphasis should be on positive measures. She highlights the unwillingness of the government to address the issue of granting non-citizens the right to participate in local elections and the possibility for residents to use Russian in communication with local authorities. In mid-February, Ms Brands Kehris will leave Latvia for the Hague to assume the post of the Director of the Bureau of the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities.