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.

• Newspapers report about preparations for the 16 March
• Newspaper: the first state-funded feature film shot in Russian language focuses on the life of Russian petty criminals in Riga
• Naval Academy professor claims threat of political dismissal

Five different organisers submitted applications for holding eight different events on 16 March (unofficial day of commemoration of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires), some of these events are scheduled for the same time and location. The Riga City Council is in charge of authorising public events, and according to its representative, in cases when applications overlap, the Council will give preference to those submitted earlier. The Head of the Security Police Janis Reiniks, the security threats for 16 March events this year are higher than usually, and there is information that around 30-40 extremists from foreign countries are going to take part in the evens this year. Starting from the next year, the right-wing union “All for Latvia / For Fatherland and Freedom / LNIM” proposes to commemorate Latvian freedom fighters on 17 March instead of 16 March.

Five different organisers submitted applications for holding eight different events on 16 March (unofficial day of commemoration of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires), some of these events are scheduled for the same time and location. The Riga City Council is in charge of authorising public events, and according to its representative, in cases when applications overlap, the Council will give preference to those submitted earlier. The Head of the Security Police Janis Reiniks, the security threats for 16 March events this year are higher than usually, and there is information that around 30-40 extremists from foreign countries are going to take part in the evens this year. Starting from the next year, the right-wing union All for Latvia / For Fatherland and Freedom / LNIM proposes to commemorate Latvian freedom fighters on 17 March instead of 16 March. Diena, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti-Segodnya

Chas reports about the release of the first feature film in Russian funded by the state, People/there. The film focuses on the life of two Russian youngsters in Riga. The newspaper alleges the movie stigmatises Latvias Russians, portraying them as petty criminals, while Latvians only appeared in the movie briefly, as victims. The movie is shot in Russian language, with Latvian subtitles, and will be on the screens in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The newspaper is concerned that given the hysteria over the language referendum, this movie contributes to the barricade of hatred.

Newspapers continue to report about the aftershocks of the referendum. Latvian Naval Academy professor Georgs Kuklis-Rosmanis received an official request from the leadership of the Academy to explain his decision to sign the proposal to grant Russian the status of the second state language. When interviewed before the referendum, Mr. Kuklis-Rosmanis has admitted that he signed the proposal, arguing his decision by the need for equality. According to Mr. Kuklis-Rosmanis, he was also told by the leadership that his opinion is ideologically wrong and he has impression that he will be dismissed from his job because of his political opinion, yet the dismissal will not openly mention political views.

Newspapers continue to report about the aftershocks of the referendum. Latvian Naval Academy professor Georgs Kuklis-Rosmanis received an official request from the leadership of the Academy to explain his decision to sign the proposal to grant Russian the status of the second state language. When interviewed before the referendum, Mr. Kuklis-Rosmanis has admitted that he signed the proposal, arguing his decision by the need for equality. According to Mr. Kuklis-Rosmanis, he was also told by the leadership that his opinion is ideologically wrong and he has impression that he will be dismissed from his job because of his political opinion, yet the dismissal will not openly mention political views. Vesti-Segodnya