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.

• Supreme Court has acquitted the leader of the extreme right-wing organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and the organisations members Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa of charges of incitement to ethnic hatred
• Hearing in the Riga City Central District Court: claimant accuses policeman of ethnically motivated assault
• Newspapers report that on 27 February, unknown vandals have desecrated the Holocaust Memorial in Rumbula
• MP Maris Kucinskis: most likely, the majority of the Saeima will not support the proposal to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections
• State Language Agency funded a documentary aimed at convincing non-Latvians to learn and to use Latvian language
• State Boarder Guard Service has drawn administrative violation protocols to foreign citizens for working in Latvia without work permits

Yesterday, the Supreme Court has upheld the ruling of the Riga Regional Court to acquit the leader of the extreme right-wing organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and the organisation’s members Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa. As reported, the national radicals were charged for statements inciting to ethnic hatred in several articles published in their national radical newspaper

Yesterday, the Supreme Court has upheld the ruling of the Riga Regional Court to acquit the leader of the extreme right-wing organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and the organisations members Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa. As reported, the national radicals were charged for statements inciting to ethnic hatred in several articles published in their national radical newspaper DDD in 2004 and 2005. Chas, Latvijas Avize

Chas reports about a hearing in the Riga City Central District Court. The claimant accuses policeman of ethnically motivated assault. The claimant alleges that he was detained by the police on a street in Riga; when asked to explain the reason for detention one of the police officers stated that according to the law, Roma people are allowed to walk on Rigas streets only until 9 p.m. After that the man was heavily beaten and sustained serious injuries. The policeman has denied charges.

Newspapers report that on 27 February, unknown vandals have desecrated the Holocaust Memorial in Rumbula (Riga’s district). The vandals have drawn all over almost all memorials swastikas and stars of David. The Police have started investigation and initiated a criminal procedure.

Newspapers report that on 27 February, unknown vandals have desecrated the Holocaust Memorial in Rumbula (Rigas district). The vandals have drawn all over almost all memorials swastikas and stars of David. The Police have started investigation and initiated a criminal procedure. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

In an interview with

In an interview with Vesti Segodnya, the head of the Saeimas faction Peoples party, MP Maris Kucinskis has stated that at present, most likely, the majority of the Saeima will not support the proposal to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. Mr. Kucinskis believes that the state has to provide more opportunities for those residents who want to learn Latvian language and to promote consolidation of society.

Telegraf reports about a documentary film In one Language funded by the State Language Agency. The aim of the documentary is to convince non-Latvians to learn and to use Latvian language. The documentary costs LVL 8,850 (EUR 12,592)

The State Boarder Guard Service has drawn administrative violation protocols to four citizens of Belarus, two citizens of Ukraine and one citizen of Russia for working in Latvia without work permits.

The State Boarder Guard Service has drawn administrative violation protocols to four citizens of Belarus, two citizens of Ukraine and one citizen of Russia for working in Latvia without work permits. Diena