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.

• Rihards Kols (National Union) dismissed from the post of the Prime Ministers’ Parliamentary Secretary due to discord regarding the accommodation of refugees in Latvia

The Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma dismissed a member of the National Union (NU) Rihards Kols from the post of the Parliamentary Secretary due to discord regarding the issue of accommodation of refugees in Latvia. Rihards Kols as well as the others the NU members joined the initiative of the oppositional parties to call the extraordinary Parliamentary session with an aim to evaluate the government’s decision on accommodation of refugees. The other coalition parties – the Unity and the Union of Greens and Farmers evaluated such action by the NU members as breach of the coalition’s agreement which forbid the coalition members to join the initiatives of the oppositional parties on call for extraordinary Parliamentary sessions. Before taking final decision on dismissal of Rohards Kols, the Prime Minister proposed him to elaborate the refugee integration programme as the NU has doubts whether refugees will be able to integrate in Latvia. However, Mr Kols refused the proposal. Latvijas Avize