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.

• Ministry of Finance: extra holiday for religious events would discriminate atheists and cost the state about LVL 10 millions
• Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks: Latvia will become more attractive to immigrants if it continues economic development

According to the Ministry of Finance, extra holiday for religious events could cost the state about LVL 10 millions (EUR 14 millions). Over the last 10 years several proposals to grant Russian Orthodox Christmas (7 January) status of a bank holiday were refused by the majority of the Saeima.  Therefore, the Reforms Party came with a proposal to grant Latvian residents one extra holiday a year to celebrate some important religious event of their choice. The Ministry of Finances warns not only about the high cost of such extra holiday but believes it would be unfair for those who do not belong to any religion. Neatkariga

The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Nils Muiznieks believes the main problems regarding human rights in Latvia are the large number of children non-citizens, problems in the judicial system, and discrimination of Roma. The Commissioner also believes Latvia will become more attractive to immigrants if it continues economic development. Mr Muiznieks also believes that Latvia will never be a mono-ethnic country and he would better like to see Latvia as the country to which people are coming, not leaving it. Vesti Segodnya