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.

• Discussion Racism and Discrimination in the U.S. and Latvia
• Attitude of Latvias residents towards asylum seekers
• Leader of The Concord Centre: if ethnic issues are not solved no success will be achieved
• Several NGOs from Liepaja and members of the City Council protest against commemorative processions of WWII Latvian legionaries
• Meeting in support for imprisoned National Bolshevik Benes Ayo

On Friday, the U.S. Embassy to Latvia and the Afro-Latvian Association held a discussion “Racism and Discrimination in the U.S. and in Latvia.” U.S. Ambassador, Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs and representatives of various NGOs took part in the round-table. The majority agreed that the most common problem in Latvia is the denial of racism by officials and politicians. It was also stressed that everybody should take part in prevention racism. Representative of a black community in Latvia George Steele stated that racism is a topical issue in Latvia, “The government must recognize the problem while it has not become a wide-spread phenomenon.”

On Friday, the U.S. Embassy to Latvia and the Afro-Latvian Association held a discussion Racism and Discrimination in the U.S. and in Latvia. U.S. Ambassador, Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs and representatives of various NGOs took part in the round-table. The majority agreed that the most common problem in Latvia is the denial of racism by officials and politicians. It was also stressed that everybody should take part in prevention racism. Representative of a black community in Latvia George Steele stated that racism is a topical issue in Latvia, The government must recognize the problem while it has not become a wide-spread phenomenon. Telegraf, Diena

Aija Lulle and Vineta Polatside comment

Aija Lulle and Vineta Polatside comment on the results of the research The Attitude of Latvian Residents, State Officials and NGOs towards Asylum Seekers. According to academicians, the research reveals that a half of Latvian residents lack information about asylum seekers and lack of information results in preconceptions and negative attitude towards those asylum seekers who are visibly different. They believe that living conditions for asylum seekers are good, however, there are problems with their further social integration if they receive the status of the refugee of the alternative status. The academicians believe that broad public awareness campaigns must be implemented, because it is the duty of society to help those who are endangered in their native countries.

The leader of the political party “The Concord Centre” Nils Ushakovs in an interview with

The leader of the political party The Concord Centre Nils Ushakovs in an interview with Chas stated that the government must make a step towards ethnic minorities in Latvia. The government should ease naturalisation; grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections; and abolish the already adopted amendments to the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities… If ethnic problems are not solved, no success is achieved in social sphere, considers Nils Ushakovs.

Several left-wing members of the Liepaja City Council (city in the North West of Latvia) and a number of non-governmental organizations – the Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian Communities in Liepaja, Jewish Religious Association and cultural organisations “OLIMP”, “Posolon”, and “Unison” - protest against the commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March. “These  processions may raise tension in the city and bring disharmony in society… It is our duty to stand against the possible rebirth of fascism in Liepaja and in Latvia,” is written in a letter that the organizations have sent to the Liepaja City Council.

Several left-wing members of the Liepaja City Council (city in the North West of Latvia) and a number of non-governmental organizations – the Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian Communities in Liepaja, Jewish Religious Association and cultural organisations OLIMP, Posolon, and Unison - protest against the commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March. These processions may raise tension in the city and bring disharmony in society… It is our duty to stand against the possible rebirth of fascism in Liepaja and in Latvia, is written in a letter that the organizations have sent to the Liepaja City Council. Chas

Yesterday, about 25 persons assembled in public to express their support for national bolshevik Benes Ayo, who is currently imprisoned, and the ideas of communism.

Yesterday, about 25 persons assembled in public to express their support for national bolshevik Benes Ayo, who is currently imprisoned, and the ideas of communism. Chas