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 prints an article about refugees
• Union of Citizens and Non-citizens sentan open letter to the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

Latvijas Avize prints an article about refugees by Anna Zigure (former diplomat). About half of the article quotes memories of Latvian WWII refugees who escaped fromLatvia in 1944 mainly by fishing boats as well as quotes of how did Swedish media reported the arrival of Latvian refugees. The author of the article stresses thatLatvia has to show its solidarity in accommodation of refugees from African countries remembering that without compassion of other nations Latvians would not be able to survive inSiberia and in the Western countries.Latvia with other countries should achieve that it is able to propose how many and what kind of refugees it can accommodate, says the author. The refugees will have to be taught Latvian language, history and mentality, and some profession. It is important to achieve that the refugees would strengthenLatvia, state language and give new strength to the economy.

Vesti Segodnya publishes an open letter to the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg by the head of theUnion of Citizens and Non-citizens Vladimirs Sokolovs. Mr Soklovs asks the Secretary General to explain whether the aim of the NATO military forces inLatvia is to protect lives, properties and rights of Russian speaking residents and non-citizens or the aim is to prevent the risks which they allegedly present. He asks if there are preconditions – political views, citizenship status or native language – for the protection of fundamental rights of these people in case of conflict. Mr Sokolovs explains that large part of Russian speaking residents is composed of Latvian non-citizens – workers and engineers who moved toLatvia after the WWII, and their descendants, who were disenfranchised in the 90-ies and nowadays are mentioned as security risk. He also complains that attempts by two main organizations advocating for the interests of non-citizens – the Congress of Non-citizens and the Union of Citizens and Non-citizens to build dialogue are refused by the government. Mr Sokolovs is also worried about the lack of official reaction to the petition for internment of non-citizens in case of conflict withRussia.