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.

• Latvijas Avize interviews the Rabbi Dr. Menahems Barkahans
• Vesti Segodnya interviews the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs

Latvijas Avize interviews the Rabbi Dr. Menahems Barkahans, head of theRiga andLatvia’s Jewish Religious Community and association “Shamir”, and head of Riga Ghetto andHolocaustMuseum. Mr Barkahans says that in the context of growing security concerns after the recent terrorist attacks in Europe, also the Jewish Community prepares a letter to the Latvian Police asking to pay more attention to the territory around the Riga Ghetto Museum and the premises of “Shamir.” He believes that the religious war with extreme Islamic approach has begun. Therefore it is important to draw more attention to prevention of influx of radical Muslims toLatvia and to do everything possible to keep the number of immigrants and refugees inLatvia as small as possible. Speaking about integration issues, Mr Barkahans believes that every Latvian resident should know Latvian language, but education in state funded schools should be in Latvian language only. At the same time, he mentions the practice ofIsrael where the state ensures its residents with provision of information in their native language in row with Jewish language. Such approach, he believes, helps residents to understand what the state wants and to avoid development of negative attitude towards the state. Regarding to the restitution of Jewish properties lost by the Jewish community members due Soviet occupation in 1940 and during the Holocaust, the Rabbi believes that all properties which currently belong to state or municipalities should be returned to Jewish communities and not only to the organisation called Latvian Council of Jewish Community. Commenting 16 March events in Riga – the unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires – Mr Barkahans understands that former warriors, no matter on which side they fought,  want to lay flowers in memory of their friends who were killed during the war. However, in case of 16 March, the veterans are used for political manipulations. Therefore, he suggests that, instead of going toMonument ofFreedom in the centre ofRiga, the veterans could rather pray in churches and in cemeteries. 

Vesti Segodnya interviews the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs who was recently granted the Award by the International Public Foundation for the Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations during his visit toMoscow. The Patriarch Kirill awarding Nils Usakovs said that he appreciates Usakovs’ efforts on strengthening of inter-ethnic and inter-confessional concord inRiga. Mr Usakovs, in his turn, said that the visit of the Patriarch toLatvia (which was postponed for an unspecified date) is awaited inLatvia and it would be important for the visit take place during theLatvia’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. According to the Mayor, Riga City Council has established the council of religious organisations which includes representatives of all confessions. As well as the team of the City Council consists of ethnic Latvians and non-Latvians who work in the interests of allRiga residents.