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.

• For the first time, Latvian high officials commemorated the WWII victims at the Salaspils memorial on 8 May; unofficial Victory’s Day celebrations gathered around 200,000 people in Riga
• Saeima’s Education, Culture and Science Committee supported a proposal requiring teachers to be loyal towards Latvia and the Constitution

Newspapers reports about official events on commemoration of the end of the WWII on 8 May and unofficial celebration or Victory’s Day on 9 May in Latvia. On 8 May, the Latvian high officials, war veterans and representatives of the diplomatic corps commemorated the war victims and warriors at the common grave in Rigaand Lestene, as well as, for the first time, at the Salaspils memorial located on the site of the former Nazi concentration camp.  The Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma, in her speech at the memorial, stated that this place is a reminder of the tragic past and that we should never forget and never allow such terrible crime as the WWII. The Prime Minister also called the historians to explore the real history of the Salaspils concentration camp. On 9 May, about 200,000 people took part in the unofficial celebrations in Rigaat the Monumentof Liberatorsof Rigafrom Nazi Invaders.  The Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs, in his speech at the Monument, stated that it is our duty to always remember and honour victims of all past century’s political regimes. But we should never forget that the Nazism was absolute evil and on 9 May we celebrate victory over this evil, said Mr Usakovs. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga

The Saeima’s Education, Culture and Science Committee supported a proposal stipulating that heads of the education institutions and teachers should be loyal towards Latviaand the Constitution. According to the Head of the Committee Janis Vucans, the notion of “loyalty” could be defined by a normative regulation which has to be elaborated.  Latvijas Avize (8.05)