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.

• FHRUL initiated a collection of signatures in support of granting citizenship to all Latvian non-citizens
• Latvian Association of Pagans criticizes the decision of the Saeimas Legal Committee to extend working hours of some polling stations during the elections following the appeal of the Jewish religious community
• U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Judith Garber visited the centre for illegal immigrants in Daugavpils

Three weeks before the Saeima’s snap elections, the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) initiated a collection of signatures in support of granting citizenship to all Latvian non-citizens. Experts interviewed by

Three weeks before the Saeimas snap elections, the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) initiated a collection of signatures in support of granting citizenship to all Latvian non-citizens. Experts interviewed by Telegraf believe that such initiative mostly likely will not help the FHRUL to be elected in the parliament but it can negatively impact the level of tolerance in the society and provoke counter-actions by ethnic Latvian radicals. Telegraf, Chas

The Latvian Association of Pagans criticizes the decision of the Saeima’s Legal Committee to extend working hours of some polling stations during the elections following the appeal of the Jewish religious community. The Saeima’s Committee decided that at least one polling station in each Latvian region should be opened from 8 a.m. up to 10 p.m. The Association of Pagans considers that the civic duty should prevail over the religious traditions and that extension of the polling stations’ working hours is too expensive taking into consideration that there are only about 70 members of Jewish religious community.  As reported, the Jewish community asked to extend the working hours of the poling stations due to the Shabbat.

The Latvian Association of Pagans criticizes the decision of the Saeimas Legal Committee to extend working hours of some polling stations during the elections following the appeal of the Jewish religious community. The Saeimas Committee decided that at least one polling station in each Latvian region should be opened from 8 a.m. up to 10 p.m. The Association of Pagans considers that the civic duty should prevail over the religious traditions and that extension of the polling stations working hours is too expensive taking into consideration that there are only about 70 members of Jewish religious community. As reported, the Jewish community asked to extend the working hours of the poling stations due to the Shabbat. Chas

Chas reports that the U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Judith Garber visited the centre for illegal immigrants in Daugavpils in the framework of the visit to Latgale (region in the East of Latvia). The centre was transferred from Olaine (town near Riga) to the brand new premises in Daugavpils on 1 June. Presently there are 35 detainees in the centre – persons who crossed Latvias border with fake documents and asylum seekers.