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.

21 June, 2012 

• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins resigns amid disagreements over returning of Jewish organisations’ properties to the Jewish community

Yesterday, the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins resigned amid disagreements over the return of Jewish organisations’ properties to the Jewish community. Mr.Berzins complained about pressure and stated that the assignment given by the Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis regarding the properties violates the coalition agreement. According to Raivis Dzintars, the co-chairperson of the radical nationalist union “All for Latvia! For Fatherland and Freedom / Latvian National Independence Movement” (AL!FF/LNIM) the property restitution process is complete and should not be revised in the interests of one ethnic community. Earlier, the President of the Republic of Latvia Andris Berzins expressed his support to the initiative to return the properties. Newspapers also inform that the issue might be raised during the upcoming visit of the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Chas, Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti-Segodya