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.

• Author of a map Aleksandrs Rzhavins is puzzled by statements of the Minister of Defence, who accused him and NGO Russian Society of Latvia in anti-constitutional activities

Vesti Segodnya interviews the author of a map which according to the Minister of Defence Artis Pabriks identifies Nazism and fascism with Europe, while Latvia is presented as Russian, not European territory. Author of the map Aleksandrs Rzhavins is puzzled by statements of the Minister about the map and the Russian Society in Latvia (RSL). Mr Rzhavins does not see any distortion of historical facts in the text which accompanies the map and believes the Minster for some reason wrongly interpreted or translated the text. Mr.Rzhavins also reminded that earlier, Mr.Pabriks in his capacity of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that Turkey shares a common border with Russia. As reported, the Minister Pabriks appealed to the Security Police asking to evaluate whether the map prepared by the member of the RSL incites ethnic hatred and stated the RSL should be closed for its anti-national activities. The map shows 490 WWII memorials and soldiers’ burial places on the territory of Latvia.