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.

• Media print articles on racist crimes and their prevention
• NRA on the life of seven Somalis granted an alternative status

Diena interviews law enforcement officials on the issues of racist crimes. According to the Security Police, the number of racist crimes has increased in 2006 as compared to 2005. In total, 14 criminal cases have been initiated under the Section 78 of the Criminal Code. 8 of the cases have been initiated for the instigation of racial hatred. The press secretary of the Security Police has stated that fighting against skinhead groupings mostly committing racial attacks is hampered by the fact that these groupings act spontaneously and often under the influence of alcohol. According to the Security Polices representative, the crimes often cannot be unequivocally investigated under the scope of Section 78 of the Criminal Code, and are treated as the acts of hooliganism. Dienas columnist argues that the police are still too weak in preventing of racist crimes. In an interview to NRA, the head of the Discrimination Prevention Department of the Ombudsmens Office Liga Bikseniece has pointed to the lack of professionalism of the law enforcement officials in responding to the complaints of two Somalis who were physically assaulted by several persons, presumably skinheads, last week. The police officials did not received explanations from the victims, but gave them a telephone number of another police station. As reported, the Police have finally initiated an investigation under the Section 78 of the Criminal Code.

NRA continues to report on the life of seven Somalis who have arrived to Latvia in 2005 and were granted alternative status in 2006. The Somalis still have no permanent residency place and permanent job, although three minor Somalis are studying at school. In an interview with NRA, the leader of a project Step by Step funded the European Communitys Egual program Madara Miezite has stated that the aim of the project is to elaborate an effective system of social and professional integration of asylum seekers in Latvia. According to Madara Miezite, the situation with seven Somalis asylum seekers has revealed many problems since the number asylum seekers in Latvia were negligible before their arrival.