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.

• Minister of Education Ina Druviete is planning to meet with directors of ethnic minority schools
• Vesti Segodnya interviews the Ombudsman Juris Jansons
• 1,732 persons received Latvian citizenship through naturalisation in 2013                             

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Minister of Education Ina Druviete is planning to meet with directors of ethnic minority schools in order to discuss used models of bilingual education. The Minister also is planning to give her subordinates task to elaborate methodology for ethnic minority schools for transfer of all subjects into Latvian language except native language and literature starting with 1 September 2018. On 4 February, political party the Russian Union of Latvia (ex-FHRUL) is planning to hold a picket for protection of education in Russian language.

In an interview with Vesti Segodnya the Ombudsman Juris Jansons says that it is a lie that he has ever called to close Russian language schools. Mr Jansons asserts that he wanted to draw attention at the education quality in ethnic minority schools and raise discussions on whether it is necessary to transfer secondary schools into Latvian language only. Regarding the situation with non-citizens, the Ombudsman blames certain NGOs as those mislead non-citizens saying that state should grant them citizenship automatically. In particular, the Ombudsman blames the Congress of Non-Citizens saying that establishment of such organisation will slow down naturalisation process even more. The Ombudsman is assured that Latvian non-citizens use the same social-economical rights equally with citizens and that the only exception for non-citizens are political rights – they cannot vote and to be elected.

1,732 persons received Latvian citizenship through naturalisation in 2013 which is for 481 persons or 21% less than in 2012. According to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, naturalisation speed continues to decrease in Latvia – 2,467 persons naturalised in 2011 and 2,213 in 2012. Diena, Vesti Segodnya