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.

• Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs: 9 May is one of the most important days for me
• Experts: it is wrong that 9 May splits Latvian society along ethnic lines
• Saeima refused proposal to allow foreign students to study in Latvia in Russian language

Chas prints an interview with the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs about 9 May (Victory Day). According to the Mayor, 9 May is one of the most important days for him personally and this year he will attend the celebration events in Riga. The Mayor believes that it is wrong to say that 9 May is celebrated only by ethnic Russians because there are also many ethnic Latvians veterans of the Red Army and those ethnic Latvians who respect this day.

Experts interviewed by

Experts interviewed by Neatkariga consider that it is wrong that different interpretations of meaning of 9 May or Victory Day splits Latvian society along ethnic lines. Experts believe that politicians should find a common meaning of this day for representatives of both ethnicities in order to overcome this division and draw closer all Latvian residents.

Yesterday, the Saeima refused proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) to allow foreign students to study in Latvia in Russian language. The FHRUL believed that Russian language would attract to Latvia many Russian speaking students from abroad.

Yesterday, the Saeima refused proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) to allow foreign students to study in Latvia in Russian language. The FHRUL believed that Russian language would attract to Latvia many Russian speaking students from abroad. Chas