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.

• Head of the State Police Ints Kuzis: domestic violence threatens security much more than asylum seekers
• Afro-American Latvian resident: due to the refuge crisis attitude towards dark-skinned people in Latvia has worsened

The Head of the State Police Ints Kuzis presenting data on criminal tendencies during 2015 emphasized that domestic violence threatens security much more than asylum seekers. Mr Kuzis pointed to a need to pay more attention to domestic violence and introduce more effective measures against it. He also believes that Latvian residents should not worry in advance that arrival of asylum seekers would bring violence or mass disorders; the police should explain it to the society.  News agency LETA

Neatkariga interviews George Steel, an Afro-American who lives in Latvia since 1994. According to him, due to the refugee crisis the attitude towards dark-skinned people in Latvia has worsened during the last six months. He says that about a couple months ago, an unknown man came up to his 12 year old daughter on the street and asked her in aggressive way whether she is a refugee. He also says that at least once a week he personally faces racism in a similar way. Mr Steel says: “People consider me a stranger because of my skin colour. People don’t want to see more – that I have a family, children and speak Latvian language. They don’t see me as a person, but see only skin colour.”