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.

• Security Police initiated a criminal proceeding against a local journalist who interviewed people about the draft amendments banning the usage of Soviet symbols
• Neatkariga prints an interview with the professor of the University of Latvia Vita Zelce about the genesis of 9 May in Latvia

 Vesti Segodnya reports that the Security Police initiated a criminal proceeding against a local journalist Andrejs Hromcovs accusing him of organisation of mass disorders and provocations on 9 May. According to Mr Hromcovs, he was filming a video story for a Russia’s TV about 9 May (unofficial celebration of the end of WWII or Victory Day) in Latvia and interviewed people about their opinion regarding the draft amendments banning usage of Soviet symbolic at public events. On the next day, Mr Hromcovs was called to the Security Police and asked about his conversation with people and plans, and later was accused of planning provocations on 9 May.  According to the Security Police, the journalist was planning provocations involving foreign mass media which would report about provocations with an aim to discredit Latvia.

Neatkariga prints an interview with the professor of the University of Latvia Vita Zelce about the genesis of 9 May and presence of the past today in Latvia. According to Mrs Zelce, wide celebration of 9 May or Victory Day today in Latvia in connected with the policy of the present President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin regarding history, including aspect on strengthening of Russians’ identity and policy towards neighbour countries. Mrs Zelce believes that the 9 May is more or less directed by politicians and through this celebration specific ideology is being strengthened. Lack of intellectuals, lack of knowledge and carelessness in the intellectual area prevent Latvia of creating its own comprehension about the past and the presence of the past today.