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.

• Draft amendments forbidding usage of totalitarian symbolic foresee some exceptions
• President of Latvia Andris Berzins and other high officials and war veterans took part in event commemorating the end of WWII
• Interview with an academic and researcher Deniss Hanovs about ethnic relations in Latvia
• Historian Ritvars Jansons: 9 May means beginning of occupation for Latvia

Saeima’s Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee supported the draft amendments to the Law "On the Security of Public Entertainment and Festive Events” forbidding usage of the USSR and Nazi flags, blazons, anthems, uniform and other symbols during the public events. However, the draft amendments contains exceptional cases – usage of such symbols is allowed if it does not aim at glorification or justification of the crimes committed by these regimes. The MP Boriss Cilevics criticizes such amendments as those are confusing in terms of interpreting the exception cases. The draft amendments will pass to the Saeima for the second reading. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Yesterday, the President of Latvia Andris Berzins, high state officials, MPs and representatives of foreign diplomatic corps took part in event commemorating the end of WWII and its victims. War veterans – Red Army veterans and some Latvian legionnaires also took part in the event. After the event, the President admitted that the process of reconciliation of war veterans develops well and it is good that many of them understand that we all live in one country with one common future. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with an academic and researcher Deniss Hanovs about ethnic relations in Latvia. Mr Hanovs worries about growing instability in the society due to interethnic relations. According to Mr Hanovs, expression of hatred increases in the online space as people show their fears and hate louder and there is danger that it will continue to escalate. Mr Hanovs criticizes the establishment of the Congress of Non-Citizens as it just creates illusions about solution of the problem of non-citizenship. Mr Hanovs criticizes the integration program created under supervision of the ex-Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte calling this program as a document which raises self-confidence of ethnic Latvians rather than aimed at integration of non-Latvians.

Neatkariga prints an interview with historian and substitute director of the Museum of Occupation Ritvars Jansons about the meaning of 9 May or Victory Day to Latvia. According to Mr Jansosns, part of ethnic Latvians will never accept this day as a celebration because it brought occupation to Latvia. Mr Jansons argues about repressions and terror against ethnic Latvians accompanied by Soviet occupation.