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.

• Neatkariga Rita Avize continues to discuss possible damage to the Latvian states image due to the warning against racism in Latvia issued by the USA State Department
• International policy researcher from the University of Pennsylvania on situation of Russians in Latvia

Neatkariga Rita Avize continues to comment on the consequences of the warning against racially motivated attacks in Latvia published at the homepage of the USA Department of State. The head of the Latvian Institute Ojars Kalnins believes that allegedly racially motivated attacks in the Old Town of Riga are to be blamed on some radical groups, and that Latvia can not be regarded as a ‘racist state. The Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks stresses that the state security institutions should take a proactive approach in combating racially motivated crimes which damage the international reputation of Latvia. The Head of the Latvian National Human Rights Offices (LNHRO) Analysis Department Liga Bikseniece states that the LNHRO received no complaints of racially or ethnically motivated attacks. The Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands Kehris points to the gaps in legislation, which does not provide for elaborate criteria in evaluation of racially motivated crimes.

Chas prints an interview with an international policy researcher from the University of Pennsylvania (USA), Michelle Commersio about the situation of Russians in Latvia. The researcher believes that Russians in Latvia encounter problems in the areas of language usage, education and citizenship. According to Commersio, the present Law on Education impedes Russians ability to maintain their ethnic identity. At the same time, the American researcher does not foresee an increase in the number of emigrants to Russia, as for majority of Latvian Russians leaving Latvia would mean a deterioration of professional life and living conditions.