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.

• Police initiate a criminal case on an allegedly racially motivated attack in Old Town Riga

Riga Central Police Office has initiated a criminal case on an allegedly racially motivated attack on a staff member of the US Embassy in Latvia. On 1 July the US Embassy employee and his family members were heading home in Old Riga when a group of four young people started to follow them and make comments in a scornful and offensive tone. The US Embassy staff member did not react as the members of a group spoke in a foreign language. Then one of the youths physically abused the US citizen by pushing him several times. It should be noted that the police initiated the criminal case on the basis of the Criminal Law's Section 231, Part 2 – hooliganism. As reported, two week after the incident USA Department of State issued the warning to US citizens who want travel to Latvia about expression of racism in Latvia.

Riga Central Police Office has initiated a criminal case on an allegedly racially motivated attack on a staff member of the US Embassy in Latvia. On 1 July the US Embassy employee and his family members were heading home in Old Riga when a group of four young people started to follow them and make comments in a scornful and offensive tone. The US Embassy staff member did not react as the members of a group spoke in a foreign language. Then one of the youths physically abused the US citizen by pushing him several times. It should be noted that the police initiated the criminal case on the basis of the Criminal Law's Section 231, Part 2 – hooliganism. As reported, two week after the incident USA Department of State issued the warning to US citizens who want travel to Latvia about expression of racism in Latvia. Latvijas Avize and Neatkariga Rita Avize comment that the reaction of the USA Department of State is exaggerated. The newspapers stress that neither the Latvian National Human Rights Office nor the annual report of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies (LCHRES) reports on cases of racism in Latvia with the exception of a case, when a Romani man was discriminated in the labour market. However, the Director of the LCHRES Ilze Brands Kehris notes that the increasing number of complaints on incidents, which are based on racial prejudices, has been received. She adds that the majority of victims do not report on these incidents to police. The daily Neatkariga Rita Avize adds that the state should take more active measures in the areas of legislation and investigation of allegedly racially motivated crimes. The state should also reach disclaimer of the warning about racism in Latvia issued by USA Department of State. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize