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.

• Diena prints an article by social anthropologist Dace Dzenovska on racism in Latvia
• Minister of Culture Helena Demakova: Latvia should ignore statements of Russias officials regarding granting Russian language the status of state language in Latvia
• Ministry of Welfare has elaborated a draft agreement on co-operation in social sphere between Latvia and Russia
• Kulturas Diena prints an interview with the head of Memorial Arseny Roginsky

Diena prints an article by social anthropologist Dace Dzenovska on racism in Latvia. According to the author, there is racism in Latvia. However, Latvian residents, especially ethnic Latvians criticize and avoid attempts to draw attention to existing racism. Dace Dzenovska also criticizes police for inability to prove racially motivated crimes. Ms. Dzenovska considers that society and police will probably draw serious attention to racial attacks only after someones death.

The Minister of Culture Helena Demakova has stated that Latvia should ignore statements of Russia’s officials regarding granting Russian language the status of state language in Latvia. Mrs. Demakova believes that Latvia conforms to all international standards in protection of rights of ethnic minorities. The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins (member of the political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM)) has stated that as long as the FF/LNIM is in governing coalition Russian language will never become state language.

The Minister of Culture Helena Demakova has stated that Latvia should ignore statements of Russias officials regarding granting Russian language the status of state language in Latvia. Mrs. Demakova believes that Latvia conforms to all international standards in protection of rights of ethnic minorities. The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins (member of the political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM)) has stated that as long as the FF/LNIM is in governing coalition Russian language will never become state language. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize, Diena

The Ministry of Welfare has elaborated a draft agreement on co-operation in social sphere between Latvia and Russia which stipulates abolishment of limitations on payments of pensions for residents of both countries. Particularly, the agreement stipulates that working time spent by non-citizens

The Ministry of Welfare has elaborated a draft agreement on co-operation in social sphere between Latvia and Russia which stipulates abolishment of limitations on payments of pensions for residents of both countries. Particularly, the agreement stipulates that working time spent by non-citizens outside of Latvia during the Soviet period would be included in the total length of service and thus their pensions would raise. Currently, the length of service of non-citizens includes only working time spent on Latvian territory during Soviet times. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Kulturas Diena prints an interview with the head of the international historical- enlightment, human rights and humanitarian society Memorial Arseny Roginsky. Mr. Rogisnky believes that in order to establish peaceful relation between Russians and Latvians both sides should understand and respect positions of each other regarding historical events, such as end of the WWII, victory of USSR and occupation of Latvia, despite those positions are contradictory.