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.

• Minister of Education Dace Melnbarde is concerned about the high number of young people who took part in the unofficial celebrations of Victory Day on 9 May in Riga
• Saeima’s Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee Inese Laizane: introduction of refugee quotas would endanger Latvian national identity and existence

The Minister of Education Dace Melnbarde is concerned about the high number of young people who took part in the unofficial celebrations of the end of the WWII or Victory Day on 9 May in Riga. The Minister is surprised that so many young people who received education in modern Latvian schools which have specific programmes and patriotic education can take part in such event. According to the Minister, the generation of people who arrived to Latvia with specific aims during Soviet times will not change, but it is hard to understand why young people come to this event. Vesti Segodnya

Diena prints an article about asylum seekers and irregular immigrants in Latvia in the context of possible introduction of refugee quotas in the EU. Presently, the Accommodation Centre of Detained Foreigners in Daugavpils (city in the Eastern part of Latvia) which has a maximum of 84 places is full due to large influx of irregular immigrants, mostly from Vietnam. Due to overloaded Daugavpils’ centre, part of the detained foreigners is accommodated in the premises of the State Police station in Riga. The Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe Nils Muiznieks stated that Latvia cannot avoid solidarity with other EU member states. However, Latvian government rejects introduction of refugee quotas in Latvia.  According to the head of the Saeima’s Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee Inese Laizane, refugee quotas would endanger Latvian national identity and existence.