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.

• Telegraf and Chas: Swine-man victory day postponed
• The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins: some state institutions are not sufficiently patriotic
• Nils Muiznieks opposes language regulations in private sector

Telegraf and Chas are informing that the day of victory of Swine-man (Cukmens) over plastic bags (originally scheduled for 8 May, - the WWII Victory in Europe day) has been postponed. According to the newspapers, yesterdays publication about the planned activity resonated widely in the mass-media in Latvia and abroad. As a result, the activity is re-scheduled for a week later. At the same time, the Ministry of the Environment stated that the activity was planned by the supermarket chain RIMI, while the Ministry had nothing to do with it. Moreover, according to a representative of the Ministry, the Minister of the Environment R.Vejonis is respectful of the WWII veterans.

The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins expressed his regret for the fact that not all members of the Government and state institutions supported his proposal to enlarge the list of professions, where the state language proficiency certificates are mandatory. The Minister stated that many state institutions are not patriotic enough on this issue.

The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins expressed his regret for the fact that not all members of the Government and state institutions supported his proposal to enlarge the list of professions, where the state language proficiency certificates are mandatory. The Minister stated that many state institutions are not patriotic enough on this issue. Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize interviewed Nils Muiznieks, the Director of Advanced Social and Political Research Institute. According to the interview, he believes that language usage in private sector should not be regulated. As soon as the state will introduce such regulations, it will be challenged in the courts for interference in private sector. Nils Muiznieks also believes that there is no need to enlarge the list of professions, where the state could regulate the state language knowledge in private sector.