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.

• Newspapers report about a speech by the Speaker of the Saeima Inara Murniece dedicated to the Latvia’s Independence Day on 18 November
• LTV1 prime time weekly programme “De Facto” also drew attention to the fact that the Ombudsman Juris Jansons distorted the translation of the Article 13 of the Hague Recommendations Regarding the Education Rights of National Minorities
• Newspapers report about a “spy scandal” between Russia and Latvia

Newspapers report about a speech by the Speaker of the Saeima Inara Murniece dedicated to the Latvia’s Independence Day on 18 November. In her speech, Mrs Murniece stressed the importance of the existence of state nation (referring to ethnic Latvians) and Latvia as national state. Mrs Murniece also said that Latvian language should take proper place in the society and called state authorities and officials to give speeches and interviews to Latvia’s media in Latvian only. She said that the state language is a language of democratic participation and common for all residents regardless of what language they speak at home, in family or with friends. Diena and Vesti Segodnya notes that the speech of the Speaker sounded more like a speech addressed towards the supporters of the National Union – the party represented by Mrs Murniece. Latvijas Avize, Diena, Vesti Segodnya

LTV1 prime time weekly programme “De Facto” also drew attention to the fact that the Ombudsman Juris Jansons has distorted the translation of the Article 13 of the Hague Recommendations Regarding the Education Rights of National Minorities. The relevant article concerning minority education at secondary level underlines that: […] Throughout this period, the number of subjects taught in the State language, should gradually be increased. Research findings suggest that the more gradual the increase, the better for the child.” http://www.osce.org/hcnm/32180?download=true  The Latvian translation of the Recommendations on the OSCE website: […] Šajā periodā būtu pakāpeniski jāpalielina valsts valodā mācāmo priekšmetu skaits. Pētījumi liecina – jo pakāpeniskāks ir šis process, jo labāk bērniem.” http://www.osce.org/lv/hcnm/32187?download=true The Ombudsman has insisted that the number of school subjects taught in state language should be "substantially increased" in secondary schools and the research findings suggest that the more "progressive" the increase, the better for the child. Despite the criticism, in an interview with LTV1, Mr Jansons again refused to acknowledge that the Latvian translation by the Ombudsman’s Office is misleading arguing that it is “qualitative translation” into Latvian language. Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers report about a “spy scandal” between Russia and Latvia. On Friday, 14 November, the police detained leader of the party “For Native Langauge” Vladimirs Lindermans. The police raided his apartment and released after interrogation. According to Lindermans, he received a written notification with accusations in recruitment and training of people carrying out terrorist acts, which allegedly means recruitment of volunteers for military actions in the Eastern Ukraine. On the same day, a Russian political scientist who arrived to Riga to attend the media club “Format A3” got included in the list of persons whose entrance to Latvia is denied and was deported from Latvia after spending three hours in downtown Riga.  On Sunday, 16 November, Russia’s media reported about unmasking and expulsion from Russia of a Latvian spy Aleksejs Holostovs, ex-MP from the Concord Centre. In a conversation with allegedly Russia’s FSB, Holostovs acknowledged that he fulfils task of Latvian intelligence agencies under guidance of CIA.  On the same day, activist of so called pro-Russian organisations in Latvia Aleksandrs Gaponenko got detained in the Riga airport arriving from Moscow but released couple of hours later.