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.

• Diena prints an interview with the head of the Saeima’s Society Consolidation Committee Ilmars Latkovskis

Diena prints an interview with the head of the Saeima’s Society Consolidation Committee Ilmars Latkovskis. Last week, Mr Latkovskis stated that he wants to resign from the post of the head of the Committee due to a pressure from coalition and opposition MPs who pushed him during the session to reveal how he will vote regarding the proposal to grant 16 March status of official commemoration day of Latvian legionnaires. Mr Latkvoskis believes that reconciliation of the society means an agreement to “stop war.” Mr Latkovskis believes comparing of 16 March and 9 May (victory Day) should be stopped. According to him, the opposite sides will never be able to agree on the common view of history, but it is important for the opponents at least to try to listen to each other’s opinion and do not stress their disagreements on every occasion. Mr Latkovskis also believes that citizenship should be the unifying element regardless of the existing ethnic distinction in the society and if the society agrees about common view on Latvia’s future it would be much easier to overcome disagreements about the past events.