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.

• Five young people detained for racially motivated verbal attacks towards a dark skinned citizen of Canada in Riga
• Yesterday 649 persons were granted Latvian citizenship
• Vesti Segodnya features an interview with Boriss Cilevcs on ethnic conflicts in various EU countries

On Tuesday, five young people were detained for making racially insulting statements towards a dark skinned citizen of Canada in the centre of Riga. The Canadian man stated that that day he was walking in the Centre of Riga with his girlfriend and was exposed to insulting verbal comments based on the colour of his skin several times. At the beginning he did not respond, but when he felt that assaulters became more and more aggressive, he called the police. The police arrived immediately and detained a group of young people. The victim claimed that the police did not want to initiate a case for instigation to racial hatred, however, after all the five detained are charged with violation of ethnic and racial equality.

On Tuesday, five young people were detained for making racially insulting statements towards a dark skinned citizen of Canada in the centre of Riga. The Canadian man stated that that day he was walking in the Centre of Riga with his girlfriend and was exposed to insulting verbal comments based on the colour of his skin several times. At the beginning he did not respond, but when he felt that assaulters became more and more aggressive, he called the police. The police arrived immediately and detained a group of young people. The victim claimed that the police did not want to initiate a case for instigation to racial hatred, however, after all the five detained are charged with violation of ethnic and racial equality. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize, Diena, Rigas Balss

Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers granted Latvian citizenship through naturalisation to 649 persons, including 38 minors. 71% of new citizens are Russians, 10%- Ukrainians, 9% -Belorussians. Overall 115, 201 persons have been granted Latvian citizenship since the procedure was launched in 1995.

Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers granted Latvian citizenship through naturalisation to 649 persons, including 38 minors. 71% of new citizens are Russians, 10%- Ukrainians, 9% -Belorussians. Overall 115, 201 persons have been granted Latvian citizenship since the procedure was launched in 1995. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the MP and the Chairperson of the PACEs (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) Sub-Committee on Rights of Minorities Boriss Cilevcs on ethnic conflicts in various EU countries. Mr. Cilevics believed that Latvia was able to avoid outrageous ethnic conflicts because people in Latvia understand that violence is the worst way of solving conflicts. Boriss Cilevics also believed that naturalisation procedure is a rational act through which Latvia sooner or later will become an average multinational state.