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.

• German daily Die Welt “Aliens in Latvia” published an article about discrimination of non-citizens in Latvia
• Former Russia’s Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kalyuzhniy: Russia had a programme how to bring pro-Russian parties to power in Latvia
• Academic Vita Zelce proposes to change the ritual of 16 March

Diena reports about an article published by a German daily Die Welt “Aliens in Latvia” about discrimination of non-citizens in Latvia.  The Latvian Embassy in Berlin has responded to the publication by sending the Die Welt editorial fact sheet with data about citizenship and language issues in Latvia and a letter saying that situation in Latvia in the article is interpreted inaccurately with factual mistakes.  Commenting the article, the adviser of the Minister of Culture on society integration and media policy Martins Kaprans, says that it is biased and reflectsRussia’s opinion aboutLatvia as about the state violating human rights. Mr Kaprans says that myths aboutLatvia in western media tend to multiply due to poor comprehension about Latvian history and, for instance, who are the people with status of non-citizen. He also acknowledges thatLatvia does not have enough sources to counter-propaganda. Therefore, the state should focus on promotion of its own more accurate message.

Latvijas Avize reports that formerRussia’s Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kalyuzhniy in an interview with aRussia’s radio station “Echo Moskvi” stated thatRussia had a programme how to impact voting results inLatvia and to achieve that pro-Russian political parties come to power. Mr Kalyuzhniy said that there was a programme according to whichRiga should become “Russian” in 2009, but the Parliament in 2010. Commenting such statement, representative of the Concord Centre deny the existence of such programme. According to the leader of the party Nils Usakovs, Viktor Kalyuzhniy overestimates his role in the historical events. The Russian Embassy in Latvia responded that it will not comment on “fantasies” of Mr Kalyuzhniy and stressed that the Embassy works in accordance with all international and mutual agreements.

Academic Vita Zelce proposes to change the ritual of 16 March (the unofficial day of commemoration of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires.) Mrs Zelce believes that the commemorating procession should be taken outside the centre of Rigain order to prevent incitement of hatred and aggression. According to Vita Zelce, organisations representing legionnaires, church and professional arranging mass events should be involved in the transformation of the ritual in order to find appropriate form for the content of 16March as an event commemorating lost lives, compassion, and condemnation of totalitarianism. Neatkariga