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.

• Political party “Concord” clarified its position regarding situation in Ukraine and criticized attempts to increase ethnic tension in Latvia
• Ministry of Justice prepares draft amendments to the Criminal Law stipulating punishment for incitement of ethnic hatred

The political party “Concord” (member of the political union the Concord Centre) came with its statement regarding situation in Ukraine saying that it supports territorial integrity of Ukraine and condemns violence used by any of the parties, military intervention, and intervention in internal affairs of a sovereign state. The Concord also stated that it is against incitement of tension in Latvia using rhetoric turned against representatives of ethnic minorities and restriction on civil freedoms, such as attempts to limit work of mass media and freedom of speech. The Concord called Latvian politicians to join efforts for consolidation of the society. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, the Saeima’s Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee discussed the draft amendments to the Article 78 of the Criminal Law stipulating punishment for incitement of ethnic hatred. Presently the law stipulates liability for conscious incitement of ethnic or racial hatred. The Minister of Justice Baiba Broka proposed to exclude the word “conscious” from the Article because conscious intent is hard to prove and incitement of hatred in some cases can be made also with indirect intent. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize