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.

• Supreme Court of Latvia toughened punishment to a neo-Nazi Andris Jordans for incitement to ethnic hatred
• President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers further will speak only in Latvian language on public events and to Russian speaking journalists
• Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes Latvia for severe state language policy

The Supreme Court of Latvia has sentenced a neo-Nazi Andris Jordans to two years and one month of imprisonment for incitement to ethnic hatred thus increasing by seven months the sentence issued by the first instance court. As reported, criminal proceedings against Andris Jordans were opened by the Prosecutor’s Office in February 2007 after Andris Jordans, at a public discussion, has stated that Jews and Roma people are ‘non-humans’ and it would be preferable to exterminate them. In March 2008, Andris Jordans was sentenced to one year and six months of imprisonment.

The Supreme Court of Latvia has sentenced a neo-Nazi Andris Jordans to two years and one month of imprisonment for incitement to ethnic hatred thus increasing by seven months the sentence issued by the first instance court. As reported, criminal proceedings against Andris Jordans were opened by the Prosecutors Office in February 2007 after Andris Jordans, at a public discussion, has stated that Jews and Roma people are ‘non-humans and it would be preferable to exterminate them. In March 2008, Andris Jordans was sentenced to one year and six months of imprisonment. Chas, Latvijas Avize

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers has stated that in future he will speak only in Latvian language at public events and to Russian speaking journalists. In an interview with

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers has stated that in future he will speak only in Latvian language at public events and to Russian speaking journalists. In an interview with Telegraf political scientist Ivars Ijabs believes that such Presidents decision is a result of pressure from ethnic Latvian political community. In 2008, the refusal to speak in Russian was declared by several MPs and ministers. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes Latvia for toughening of state language policy. Recently, the President of Latvia has approved the amendments to the Administrative Violation Code stipulating increase of fines for insufficient usage of Latvian language and usage of foreign languages (mainly Russian) at work. According to a representative of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, such policy is a violation of rights of ethnic minorities in Latvia and is aimed at exclusion of Russian language from all spheres of public and business life of the country.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes Latvia for toughening of state language policy. Recently, the President of Latvia has approved the amendments to the Administrative Violation Code stipulating increase of fines for insufficient usage of Latvian language and usage of foreign languages (mainly Russian) at work. According to a representative of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, such policy is a violation of rights of ethnic minorities in Latvia and is aimed at exclusion of Russian language from all spheres of public and business life of the country. Telegraf, Latvijas Avize