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.

• FHRUL appeals with court the refusal to hold a meeting to draw attention to problems faced by Russian-speakers in Latvia
• Possible political choices of the Russian electorate in the upcoming Saeima elections
• 150 – 500 attended a rock concert in the support for the Russian language
• Life of Roma in Latvia
• Comprehensive article about nationalism in the pre-war Latvia

MPs of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia appealed at court the decision of the Riga City Council. The Council did not issue a permission to hold a march and meeting to draw attention to problems faced by Russian speakers in Latvia arguing that the route of the planned march is very intensively used by pedestrians and means of transport. The Executive Director of the Riga City Council also refused to discuss any changes in the route, but suggested that the march should be hold not in the centre of Riga but over the river.

MPs of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia appealed at court the decision of the Riga City Council. The Council did not issue a permission to hold a march and meeting to draw attention to problems faced by Russian speakers in Latvia arguing that the route of the planned march is very intensively used by pedestrians and means of transport. The Executive Director of the Riga City Council also refused to discuss any changes in the route, but suggested that the march should be hold not in the centre of Riga but over the river. Chas

Chas prints an article about possible choices of ‘the Russian electorate in the upcoming Saeima elections. The newspaper notes that ‘Latvians despite their socio-economic interests keep voting for the right wing parties because of their nationalistic ideas. The author stresses that in the upcoming elections the results of the elections will very much depend on the way parties will address ‘the Russian electorate. According to the newspaper, about 80% of Russian voters do not have high income, are not very sure about their future. Those are people who fully support left wing parties. About 15% are people with average income, who do not fully share left ideas, however, they are not satisfied with the language situation and ethnocratic regime in the country, therefore they may vote for left wing parties as well. And only 5% of the ‘Russian electorate are economically successful and are integrated into Latvian society – they most likely would support right wing parties that do not propagate anti-Russian rhetoric.

The rock concert which was a part of a protest action organised by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools gathered about 150, according to

The rock concert which was a part of a protest action organised by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools gathered about 150, according to Diena, - 250, according to Chas, - 500, according to Vesti Segodnya, people.

Dienas supplement Sestdiena prints an article about Roma in Latvia. The author of the article Evija Hauka visits Roma who during summer and fall make their living by collecting berries in forests. Evija Hauka talks to a number of Romani women about their lives, children, family and problems. The author of the article stresses that Roma continue to live in accordance with their old traditions and life style.

Dienas supplement Culture prints a comprehensive article by dr.hist. Uldis Kreslins about nationalism in the pre-war Latvia.