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.

• Minister of Defence Raimonds Vejonis: males, females, ethnic Latvians and ethnic non-Latvians, citizens and non-citizens are ready to defend the state if necessary
• Neatkariga interviews the Saeima’s Speaker Inara Murniece

According to a survey “Opinion of Latvian Residents on the National Defence Issues” conducted by the marketing and public opinion research centre SKDS ordered by the Ministry of Defence, 58,7% of Latvian male citizens and 34,4% of males without Latvian citizenship  would defend Latvia  with arms in their hands if necessary. 27,9% of male citizens disagreed with such assertion. The share of males aged between 17-25 – both citizens and non-citizens is equally high – 65,2% and 63% correspondingly. 67% of males whose family language is Latvian and 41,2% whose family language is Russian would defend Latvia. According to the Minister of Defence Raimonds Vejonis such results should stop the artificial discussions that nobody is ready to defend Latvia. He also said that males, females, ethnic Latvians and ethnic non-Latvians, citizens and non-citizens are ready to defend the state. Latvijas Avize

Neatkariga interviews the Saeima’s Speaker Inara Murniece (member of the National Union.) Commenting the draft law on restitution of Jewish properties to the Jewish community currently being developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Murniece says that most likely, it foresees return of several properties such as cemeteries and synagogues. She believes that concerning every single property there should be a separate draft law elaborated in order to define the aim and condition of the return, such as prohibition to sell it or lease to someone else. Regarding 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) events, Mrs Murniece says that it is the day of remembrance of Latvian fallen warriors and it is free choice of every person what to do on this day.