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.

• Interview with political scientist Maija Krumina about the Russian community in Latvia
• Opening of the Turkish soldier cemetery in Cesis
• Russian students from Latvia and Estonia to discuss topical issues

Chas talks to political scientist Maija Krumina about the Russian community in Latvia. She states that universal equality among people is not possible, however, Russians in Latvia should fight for legal equality. She believes that there is a strong link between ethnicity and welfare of a person and argues that Latvians are in much better socio-economic position than Russians. Maija Krumina is convinced that there are many Russians unsatisfied with the minority policy of Latvian government, however, only very few dare to protest. She argues that the most likely result of the minority education reform will be marginalisation of Russian children. However, she concludes that national issues are not the most important issue for Latvia at the moment. In her opinion social problems, such as housing, are of much bigger importance for people.

Diena reports about the opening of the renewed cemetery of Turkish soldiers in Cesis. In the 19th century in the Russian Turkish war a number of Turkish soldiers were brought to Latvia. Many of them died, some returned to Turkey while some stayed in Latvia. The cemetery is the only of the kind in Latvia. No deeper studies about the life of Turkish people in Latvia has been conducted, however, representatives of Turkey have showed interest in co-operation in conducting a study.

Latvijas Avize reports that Saturday Russian students from Latvia and Estonia will come together in Daugavpils to discuss topical issues of the Russian communities in these countries. Vesti Segodnya