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.

• Cabinet of Ministers adopted the state’s position regarding the migration programme proposed by the European Commission
• Latvijas Avize prints an article about Einars Graudins who is often presented in the Russia’s and Latvia’s Russian language media as political scientist

Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the state’s position regarding the migration programme proposed by the European Commission. According to the Minister of Interior Rihards Kozlovskis, Latviais against introduction of the mandatory refugee quota system; instead, Latviasupports voluntary principle of accommodation of asylum seekers. At the same time, the Minister stressed that Latviasupports strengthening of the cooperation in issues related to migration and it already takes active part in the FRONTEX operations for protection and monitoring of the EU external borders. Access to the official state position document is restricted. However, it is known that the position mentioned various obstacles for accommodation of refugees according to the proposed quotas, such as historical aspects, ethnic divisions, and the fact that Latviatechnically is not ready to accept several hundreds of refugees. As reported, the initial proposal of the European Commission foresees that Latviawill have to accommodate 737 asylum seekers and refugees. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize prints an article about Einars Graudins who is often presented in theRussia’s andLatvia’s Russian language media as political scientist. According to the newspaper, E.Graudins has served in the USSR and Latvia’s army, worked in one of the media company, been a member of different political parties and unsuccessfully several times ran for elections. For the past couple of years he got actively involved in the activities of the unregistered organisation “Non-Citizens Congress” and is the member of its board. He is often seen as a spokesperson in differentRussia’s media commenting issues regarding Latvian non-citizens andUkraine. Journalist of a former Russian language newspaper “Chas” Igors Vatolins commenting E.Graudins’ activities says that he is well demanded expert for Russia’s media as he is ethnic Latvian who expresses the necessary opinion and supports Vladimir Putin’s policy.