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.

• Court of Balvi District punished two persons with suspended sentence for illegal transportation of persons over the state border
• Telegraf: budget cuts in the State Border Guard Service might lead to greater influx of illegal immigrants to Latvia
• The Ombudsmans Office postponed elaboration of draft amendments to Latvian legal acts stipulating removal of discriminatory restrictions on non-citizens
• Saeima has assigned the duties of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration to the Minister of Children, Family and Integration Affairs Ainars Bastiks

The Court of Balvi (city in Eastern part of Latvia) District has punished a Latvian citizen and a Russian citizen with suspended sentence for illegal transportation of persons over the state border. The persons were detained in December 2008 for attempt to transport to Latvia five citizens of Syria illegally. The Latvian citizen was sentenced to three years of suspended imprisonment and three years of probation and Russian citizen to two years suspended imprisonment and two years of probation. The Chief of the State Border Guard Service Gunars Dabolins criticizes the court’s decision arguing that such soft punishment might create favourable conditions for development of illegal immigration in the future. According to the State Border Guard Service, the number of illegal immigrants has noticeably grown during the last year. From the beginning of 2008, 188 persons were placed in the Olaine camp for illegal immigrants.

The Court of Balvi (city in Eastern part of Latvia) District has punished a Latvian citizen and a Russian citizen with suspended sentence for illegal transportation of persons over the state border. The persons were detained in December 2008 for attempt to transport to Latvia five citizens of Syria illegally. The Latvian citizen was sentenced to three years of suspended imprisonment and three years of probation and Russian citizen to two years suspended imprisonment and two years of probation. The Chief of the State Border Guard Service Gunars Dabolins criticizes the courts decision arguing that such soft punishment might create favourable conditions for development of illegal immigration in the future. According to the State Border Guard Service, the number of illegal immigrants has noticeably grown during the last year. From the beginning of 2008, 188 persons were placed in the Olaine camp for illegal immigrants. Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf reports that due to budget cuts, the State Border Guard Service will have fewer resources to control the state border and thus, the influx of illegal immigrants to Latvia might grow. The MEP from Latvia Inese Vaidere in an interview with the newspaper states that if the number of illegal immigrants to Latvia will grow due to the luck of funding, Latvia might be subjected to sanctions because of Schengen Agreements conditions.

Due to budget cuts, the Ombudsman’s Office postponed elaboration of draft amendments to Latvian legal acts stipulating removal of discriminatory restrictions on non-citizens. As reported, in October 2008, the Ombudsman admitted that some restrictions on non-citizens are not justified.

Due to budget cuts, the Ombudsmans Office postponed elaboration of draft amendments to Latvian legal acts stipulating removal of discriminatory restrictions on non-citizens. As reported, in October 2008, the Ombudsman admitted that some restrictions on non-citizens are not justified. Telegraf

Following the merger of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration with the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs, the Saeima has assigned the duties of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration duties to the Minister of Children , Family and Integration Affairs Ainars Bastiks.

Following the merger of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration with the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs, the Saeima has assigned the duties of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration duties to the Minister of Children , Family and Integration Affairs Ainars Bastiks. Latvijas Avize notes that as a result of further restructuring of ministries, the integration ministers functions might be assigned to another minister.