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.

• Vesti Segodnya: the Ombudsman Juris Jansons does not insist anymore on transition of ethnic minority schools into Latvian language
• MP, member of the National Union Einars Cilinskis: 16 of March is commemoration day of Latvian warriors who believed that they are defending their state

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Ombudsman Juris Jansons in his report about human rights situation in 2014 does not insist anymore on transition of ethnic minority schools into Latvian language. In the report, the Ombudsman criticizes a number of schools for insufficient state language proficiency of teachers. However, he does not question bilingual system as such. Also in an interview to Latvia’s official public journal Latvijas Vestnesis, evaluating language proportions in bilingual education programmes,  he stated that it as important to observe already existing legal norms which are not only technically good but are also logical and practical.

Vesti Segodnya interviews the MP, member of the National Union Einars Cilinskis. In 2014, Mr Cilinskis was forced to leave the post of the Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development due to his decision to take part in the procession commemorating Latvian legionnaires on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) in the centre of Riga. According to Mr Cilinskis, 16 of March is commemoration day of Latvian warriors who believed that they are defending their state. He also asserts that this procession does not support Nazi Germany’s aggression against the Soviet Union in any way. Mr Cilinskis also says that in difficult historical situations it is hard to find common point of view and asserts that ethnic Latvians painfully perceive the wide celebration of the 9 May (Victory Day) in Riga as for them this day symbolises repeated Soviet occupation.