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.

• Well-known Latvian writer and journalist Marina Kostenecka calls to stop incitement of ethnic hatred in Latvia
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics accused the “Concord” of activities against Latvia’s independence
• Member of the nationalists’ union Janis Iesalnieks most likely will be appointed to the post of the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Justice

A well-known Latvian writer and journalist Marina Kostenecka called representatives of ethnic Latvian intelligentsia to stop politicians from incitement of hatred between ethnic Latvian and ethnic Russian residents. She also called to postpone for a historically long time the idea of transition of Russian language schools into Latvian language. Mrs Kostenecka believes that protest action against such reform might turn very dangerous as “there will be enough with only one shot from unknown sniper into a woman or a child and events might turn out similar to the ones happening in Ukraine.” Vesti Segodnya

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics made a statement in his Twitter profile saying “I have substantial disagreement with Nils Usakovs and the party “Concord” as I see Latvia in Europe as free and independent state, but they as Moscow’s protectorate.” Responding to such statement the “Concord” accused the Minister of spreading lies and incitement of ethnic hatred. The “Concord” also prepared a reply statement to the European parties and foreign embassies telling about the Minister’s lies accusing the biggest political party in Latvia in activities against independent Latvia and its membership in the European Union. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports that member of the nationalists’ union All for Latvia/FF-LNIM Janis Iesalnieks most likely will be appointed to the post of the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Justice. The newspaper notes that Mr Iesalnieks was forced to withdraw his candidacy for the last Saeima’s elections after his statement that multiculturalists should feel guilty for the Breivik massacre because their policy of islamisation led to insanity of the attacker. Mr Iesalnieks is also known for statements that so-called „intelligent anti-Semitism” is permissible in discussions.