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.

• Founding meeting of the Congress of Non-citizens held on 23 March
• Nationalists’ union withdrew its demand for the resignation of the Minister of Interior

A founding meeting of the Congress of Non-citizens was held on Saturday, 23 March in Riga. According to the founders of the Congress, it will work as non-governmental organisation representing interests of Latvian non-citizens. The aim of the Congress is to liquidate the institute of non-citizenship in Latvia. The Congress is planning to hold the alternative elections to the “parliament of not represented” on 1 June (the same day as the official municipal elections) which will represent “those who pay taxes but cannot take part in the political life.” The alternative parliament will include citizens and non-citizens. About 400 persons took part in the founding meeting and about 2,000 registered on its web site as supporters of the Congress. Commenting the establishment of the Congress of Non-citizens a candidate for the Mayor of Riga Sarmite Elerte (Unity) stated that such movement is a political project which has very little with a real desire to help non-citizens.

The nationalists’ union All for Latvia!-FF/LNIM withdrew its demand for the resignation of the Minister of Interior Rihards Kozlovskis. The nationalists’ union demanded for the resignation of the Minister blaming him for alleged police inability to maintain public order during 16 March events in Riga (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires.) However, the Minister has publicly apologised to the legionnaires and their supporters for the disturbances caused to the procession by the protest action of the anti-fascists. The nationalists’ union accepted the apologies and requested the Minister to elaborate a legal mechanism how to prevent such situation in future. The nationalists’ union also stated it wants to see from the police the same firmness on the 9 May events. Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnya