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.

Press Review

On 8 May the State President, top governmental officials and representatives of the diplomatic corps attended a ceremony in the Cemetery of Brethren in commemoration of the WW II victims. Adressing the participants of the ceremony State President condemned the Nazi ideology and said that there was no and could not be neo-Nazism in Latvia, since the democratic traditions and historical consciousness of Latvian nation exclude it. Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs laid flowers at the common grave of Soviet soldiers and in the Jewish cemetery in Bikernieki.

On 8 May the State President, top governmental officials and representatives of the diplomatic corps attended a ceremony in the Cemetery of Brethren in commemoration of the WW II victims. Adressing the participants of the ceremony State President condemned the Nazi ideology and said that there was no and could not be neo-Nazism in Latvia, since the democratic traditions and historical consciousness of Latvian nation exclude it. Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs laid flowers at the common grave of Soviet soldiers and in the Jewish cemetery in Bikernieki. Diena, SM

After the commemoration ceremony at the Cemetery of the Brethren Prime Minster Guntars Krasts gave an interview for the Latvian Radio and international journalists in which he said that for Latvia World War II ended only in 1991 when Latvia regained its independence. Prime Minister expressed regret that Latvia had failed to explain the international community that Latvians were one of the nations having suffered most during the W.W.II.

After the commemoration ceremony at the Cemetery of the Brethren Prime Minster Guntars Krasts gave an interview for the Latvian Radio and international journalists in which he said that for Latvia World War II ended only in 1991 when Latvia regained its independence. Prime Minister expressed regret that Latvia had failed to explain the international community that Latvians were one of the nations having suffered most during the W.W.II. Chas

On Friday remains of 10 Latvian legionaries were re-buried in Lestene. Chair of the National Soldiers Society Nikolajs Romanovskis expressed regret that governmental officials and “people in army uniforms” did not attended the event. According to unofficial information, the Minister of Defence had issued an oral decree forbidding military persons to attend the event in uniforms.

On Friday remains of 10 Latvian legionaries were re-buried in Lestene. Chair of the National Soldiers Society Nikolajs Romanovskis expressed regret that governmental officials and people in army uniforms did not attended the event. According to unofficial information, the Minister of Defence had issued an oral decree forbidding military persons to attend the event in uniforms. Diena, Neatkariga

On 11 May CBSS Commissioner Ole Espersen arrives in Latvia to meet with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Justice as well as representatives of the Naturalization Board, DCMA, and the Saeima deputies.

On 11 May CBSS Commissioner Ole Espersen arrives in Latvia to meet with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Justice as well as representatives of the Naturalization Board, DCMA, and the Saeima deputies. Diena

Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that on 7 May Latvia was elected to the UN Human Rights Commission.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that on 7 May Latvia was elected to the UN Human Rights Commission. Diena