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.

• Vesti Segodnya interviews an ethnologist Ilze Boldane about perception of ethnic Latvians about themselves and representatives of other ethnicities

Vesti Segodnya interviews an ethnologist Ilze Boldane about her PhD paper “Ethnic stereotypes of ethnic Latvians in the end of XX century - beginning of XXI century: influence of historical factors”. The aim of the study is to analyse perception of ethnic Latvians about themselves and representatives of other ethnicities. According to Mrs Boldane, the main criterion for ethnic Latvians for determination of their ethnicity is ethnic background. Thus, ethnic Latvians are ethnic nation and this factor can hinder establishment of political nation in Latvia. The study revealed that the majority of ethnic Latvians divide ethnic Russians into two groups – “real Russians” and “not real Russians.” “Real Russians” are those who live in Russia and Russians who reside in Latvia for long period of time and got included in ethnic environment of local community, for example, Old-believers. “Not real” Russians are “Soviet people”, representatives of various ethnicities who arrived to Latvia during Soviet era and speak Russian language. Russians who came to Latvia during Soviet era are perceived as “occupants”, “fortune seekers” and unlike ethnic Latvians or “real Russians” do not have their roots and traditions, sense of belonging to their country. Of one of the factors which characterizes Russian residents, in opinion of ethnic Latvians, is unwillingness to learn Latvian language.