Integration monitor

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.

Oct. 9, 2012

  • Diena features article about asylum seekers
  • Ombudsman Juris Jansons: politicians are responsible for the fact that the issue of non-citizenship is brought to the popular vote

According to Diena, the European Commission might ask Latvia to receive bigger number of asylum seekers. During the last 14 years, 843 persons applied for asylum in Latvia. 47 of those were granted the status of refugee and 79 persons received alternative status. According to un-named former high official interviewed by Diena, it is un-official tactic of Latvia to keep in the country only 15% of asylum seekers. Aim of such tactic is to hinder influx of large number of asylum seekers to Latvia. According to an action plan for case of large influx of asylum seekers elaborated by the Ministry of Interior, Latvia is able to accommodate only 600 asylum seekers at maximum. In case if there is influx of 3,000-20,000 asylum seekers, state institutions would not be ably to fulfil their functions, for instance, police, border guard, army would not be able to ensure security for society and defence of state.

The Ombudsman Juris Jansons believes politicians are responsible for the fact that issue of non-citizenship is brought to the public vote, because they were not able to solve this issue during 20 years. Mr Jansons believes politicians created preconditions for confrontation of the large two parts of society. Neatkariga

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  • Integration Monitor - daily Latvian press digest on minority and social integration issues

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