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.

• Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs: one-quarter of the society is dissatisfied with the situation in the country and ethnic policy
• Sarmite Elerte: the duty of every ethnic Latvian is to speak Latvian language with every Latvias resident
• Supreme Court refused the claim of the Office of Citizenship and Naturalisation Affairs to deprive a well-known Latvian scientist of Latvian citizenship

The Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs (Concord Centre) believes that the referendum on the status of Russian language in Latvia is a symptom that one-quarter of the society is dissatisfied with the situation in the country and ethnic policy. Mr Usakovs believes that people had emotional reasons voting for granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. Mr Usakovs considers that granting the Orthodox and Old Believers’ Christmas (7 January) status of official holiday in Latvia and allowing Russian speakers to submit written applications to local governments in their native language would be a big step towards the consolidation of the society and would help to overcome psychological barrier.

The Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs (Concord Centre) believes that the referendum on the status of Russian language in Latvia is a symptom that one-quarter of the society is dissatisfied with the situation in the country and ethnic policy. Mr Usakovs believes that people had emotional reasons voting for granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. Mr Usakovs considers that granting the Orthodox and Old Believers Christmas (7 January) status of official holiday in Latvia and allowing Russian speakers to submit written applications to local governments in their native language would be a big step towards the consolidation of the society and would help to overcome psychological barrier. Diena, Neatkariga

According to a freelance advisor of the Prime Minister on integration issues Sarmite Elerte, the results of the referendum on the status of state language mean that Latvian language should be strengthened as the foundation for consolidation of society. Mrs Elerte believes that it is a duty of every ethnic Latvian to speak Latvian language with every Latvia’s resident and to help with joy every representative of ethnic minorities whose state language proficiency is not so fine yet. Mrs Elerte believes that integration can be considered as successful only if a person feels belonging to civil community and to state national community, where Latvian language and ethnic Latvian identity is a connecting element.

According to a freelance advisor of the Prime Minister on integration issues Sarmite Elerte, the results of the referendum on the status of state language mean that Latvian language should be strengthened as the foundation for consolidation of society. Mrs Elerte believes that it is a duty of every ethnic Latvian to speak Latvian language with every Latvias resident and to help with joy every representative of ethnic minorities whose state language proficiency is not so fine yet. Mrs Elerte believes that integration can be considered as successful only if a person feels belonging to civil community and to state national community, where Latvian language and ethnic Latvian identity is a connecting element. Diena

The Supreme Court has refused a claim of the Office of Citizenship and Naturalisation Affairs to deprive a well-known Latvian scientist Uldis Berzins of Latvian citizenship. Mr Berzins has accepted Swedish citizenship in 2007 and kept Latvian citizenship. Despite the fact that acquisition of dual citizenship is not allowed by Latvian legal acts, Mr Berzins did not want to rescind Latvian citizenship voluntary because besides work in Sweden he continues cooperation with Latvia. Such decision of the Court is a precedent in Latvia.

The Supreme Court has refused a claim of the Office of Citizenship and Naturalisation Affairs to deprive a well-known Latvian scientist Uldis Berzins of Latvian citizenship. Mr Berzins has accepted Swedish citizenship in 2007 and kept Latvian citizenship. Despite the fact that acquisition of dual citizenship is not allowed by Latvian legal acts, Mr Berzins did not want to rescind Latvian citizenship voluntary because besides work in Sweden he continues cooperation with Latvia. Such decision of the Court is a precedent in Latvia. Neatkariga