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.

• 195 persons applied for asylum in Latvia in 2013
• U.S.A. Ambassador to Latvia Mark Pekala: cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity is a great power and richness of Latvia
• Vesti Segodnya interviews associate Professor of the International Baltic Academy Mihails Rodins about the similarity of the current situation in Ukraine and Latvia
• Vesti Segodnya: old woman complaints she was refused medical examination because she spoke Russian language

According to Eurostat, 195 persons applied for asylum in Latvia in 2013. 75% of asylum seekers were from Georgia, 8% from Syria, 3% from Russia. Diena

The U.S.A. Ambassador to Latvia Mark Pekala in an interview with the 1st Baltic Channel stated that cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity is a great power and richness of Latvia which may also promote economic development. The Ambassador also did not support plans of the Latvian National Council on Electronic Mass Media to ban a Russia’s TV channel in Latvia saying that in the U.S. the freedom of speech is the greatest value and it is not limiting even radical statements providing a space for counter argumentation and discussions.

Vesti Segodnya interviews associate Professor of the International Baltic Academy Mihails Rodins about the similarity of the current situation in Ukraine and Latvia.  Mr Rodins believes that Ukrainian example will bring radicalisation in Latvian society because the society is deeply split and for past twenty years nothing was done for realisation of democratic norms and political representation of ethnic minorities. At the same time, Mr Rodins believes that situation in Crimea and Latvia is not comparable as Russian residents of Latvia do not want reunion with Russia and identify themselves with Latvian state.

Vesti Segodnya reports about a complaint of an old woman who was refused medical examination because she spoke Russian language. According to the woman’s story, she was brought by an ambulance to one of the Riga hospitals but a first doctor who came to make a medical examination after waiting couple hours asked what language does she speak and after hearing Russian refused to make examination. The patient received medical examination by some other doctor.