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.

• Study “Minority Participation in Democratic Processes in Latvia”

The Baltic Institute of Social Sciences has conducted a study “Minority Participation in Democratic Processes in Latvia.” According to the study, there are 306 officially registered associations of ethnic minorities in Latvia. Nearly one-quarter (70) of all minority associations are organisations of ethnic Russians, 27 - Roma, 26 - Jews, 23 - Ukrainians, 19 - Belarusians, 11 – Poles, 11 – Lithuanians, etc. However, only 48% (148) of the officially registered minority organisations are actually active. A survey of representatives of ethnic minorities revealed that the sense of belonging among young people to Latvia has decreased over the last five years. 67% of minority respondents said they have close or very close links to Latvia (81% of older respondents and 53% of young people aged 18-24 gave such a response). In 2010, such an indicator among young people was at the level of 58%. Minority representatives are comparatively active in terms of being involved in political and social processes in Latvia (62% have voted in parliamentary elections). Only 7% of surveyed non-citizens said that they are planning to naturalise during the next 12 months. According to the survey, the Latvian language skills of ethnic minorities have improved: 30% evaluated their Latvian language as very good, 26% - as good, 26% - as average; only 2% stated that they do not speak Latvian language at all.