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.

• Saeima adopted amendments to the Criminal Code which stipulate racial violence as one of aggravating factors
• 2008 will be a year of the Russian culture
• Minister of Economics Jurijs Strods: government has to discuss the possibility to draw high qualified labour force to Latvia
• Telegraf prints an article by the Head of the Russian Community of Latvia Tatyana Favorska on activities of Russian NGOs in Latvia

Diena reports that the Saeima has adopted amendments to the Criminal Code which stipulate racial violence as one of aggravating factors. The new amendments come into effect as of 1 November.

Telegraf reports that year 2008 is planned to be a year of the Russian culture in Latvia.

The Minister of Economics Jurijs Strods in an interview with the daily

The Minister of Economics Jurijs Strods in an interview with the daily NRA has stated that the government has to discuss the possibility to attract a high qualified foreign labour force to Latvia, however, only in specific areas.

Telegraf prints an article by the Head of the Russian Community of Latvia Tatyana Favorska on the activities of Russian NGOs in Latvia. Tatyana Favorska believes that Russian NGOs have to be more involved in preservation of the Russian identity through participation in the work of municipal and governmental institutions.