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.

• Chas features an interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens

Chas features an interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens. The Minister has stated that it is planed to form a working group on monitoring of court and pre-trial practices concerning incitement to ethnic hatred. Mr. Kastens considers that presently expertise which determines whether statements made by a person were inciting to ethnic hatred faces problems due to the lack of common approach in legal acts concerning such issues. The Minister has stated that he has appealed to the General Prosecutor of Latvia Janis Maizitis asking to evaluate the decision of the Prosecutor of the Riga Regional Court to terminate criminal proceedings against a neo-Nazi Andris Jordans who has stated at public discussion that Jews and Roma people are ‘non-humans and it would be preferable to exterminate them. Oskars Kastens believes that such statements are inappropriate. Regarding elaboration of new national integration policy concept for 2008-2018, the Minister has stated that the main aim of the draft concept is formation of civil society in Latvia and engagement of all groups of society into decision making process.