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.

• State increases amount of benefit granted to refugees and persons with alternative status
• Riga City Council did not allow the Congress of Non-citizens to hold a concert “We want changes”
• Minister of Culture Dace Melnbarde: every person living in Latvia has a duty to know Latvian language

According to the regulations approved by the Cabinet of Ministers recently, refugees and persons with alternative status will receive a benefit in amount of EUR 256 per month and children with the same status will receive EUR 76 per month. State also grants funding for Latvian language courses in amount EUR 49.48 per month. The majority of MPs interviewed by Neatkariga do not support such amendments arguing that such benefit exceeds the average amount of pensions in Latvia while the amount of the benefit for refugee children exceeds the amount of benefit for Latvian children several times.

The Riga City Council did not allow the Congress of Non-citizens to hold a concert “We want changes” today in Riga. The decision in motivated by a conclusion of the Security Police according to which there are high risks of disorder as well as security threats and the organisers will not be able to ensure the security measures during the event. As reported, one of the activists of the Congress of Non-citizens Aleksandrs Gaponenko positioned the event as “Latvian Maidan.” Neatkariga reports that in response to this event, a group of Latvian young activists will hold an action reminding Russian speaking residents about opportunities for free-of-charge Latvian Language courses. According to the activists, the aim is to popularise Latvian language learning through benevolent and encouraging action. Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga

The Minister of Culture Dace Melnbarde in an interview with Vesti Segodnya states that every person living in Latvia has a duty to know Latvian language and it is an issue of loyalty to the state. The state in its turn guarantees every person the preservation of identity and usage of native language. (Vesti Segodnya 23.04)