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.

• Russia’s Embassy protested against LTV1 accusations that the Embassy assists volunteers to join the separatists in East Ukraine
• Neatkariga interviews the MP Raivis Dzintars
• Days of Belorussian Culture start in Latgale

The Russia’s Embassy to Latvia submitted a protest to the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding a TV story broadcasted on LTV 1 according to which Russia’s Embassy assists persons willing to take part in the military actions in the Eastern Ukraine on the side of separatists. In the TV story, journalists interviewed anonymous persons who claimed to be residents of Latgale (region in the eastern part of Latvia) and planned to travel to the Eastern Ukraine as mercenaries. According to anonymous persons, Russia’s Embassy assists in processing with documents and promises to pay. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not approve credibility of such information arguing that such issue is in the competence of the security services. Vesti Segodnya

Neatkariga interviews the MP, one of the leaders of the nationalists’ union All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM Raivis Dzintars. As one of the strategic actions aimed at strengthening of sense of belonging to Latvia among its residents, Mr Dzintars proposes the state to define a national order for commercial media as well as complete implementation of national order in public media. The order should be oriented towards ethnic Latvians and representatives of other ethnicities, says Mr Dzintars. Mr Dzintars also says that if the Concord Centre, who has signed the co-operation agreement with Putin’s party and supported granting Russian language status of official language in Latvia,  comes into the government after the upcoming parliamentary elections it would be a signal to the world that allegedly Latvia also wants to become Russia’s subordinate country.

Vesti Segodnya reports about the launch of Days of Belorussian Culture in Latgale region named “Love Latvia, Remember your Roots.” The aim of the event is to acquaint Latvian residents with Belorussian culture and to remind that Belorussian diaspora is integral part of Latvia.