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.

• Governing coalition agreed to continue its work despite disagreements on refugees
• Open letter to the state official: accommodation of refugees should be viewed not as a threat but as an opportunity for Latvia
• Vesti Segodnya: residents of Daugavpils are negatively minded about possible accommodation of refugees

Yesterday, governing coalition discussed its further cooperation options. Despite the disagreements between the coalition members about the accommodation of refugees in Latvia, the governing coalition agreed to continue its work. However, the National Union (NU) did not refuse its plan to submit an application to the Constitutional Courtchallenging the government’s decision to accommodate 250 refugees in Latviawithin next two years.  The NU will also elaborate a draft law stipulating that further the decision on accommodation of refugees has to be adopted by the Parliamentary majority only. According to the MEP form Latvia, NU member Roberts Zile, issue on accommodation of refuges is more important than the government’s fate. Latvijas Avize

More than 160 scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, representatives of religious confessions and civil society signed an open letter with a message that accommodation of refugees should be viewed not as a threat but as an opportunity for Latvia. The letter is sent to the President of Latvia, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Culture and the Saeima’s factions. The authors of the letter call the government to elaborate the detailed action plan for accommodation and integration of refugees and to inform the society about the implementation of the plan on the regular basis in order to prevent the existing worries and fears among Latvian residents. The authors of the letter believe that Latvian residents are able to make refugees their best allies through favourable treatment and responsible actions. Vesti Segodnya

According to Vesti Segodnya, residents ofDaugavpils (city in the Eastern part ofLatvia) are negatively minded about possible accommodation of refugees in their city. One of the reasons is that residents are persuaded that refugees most likely will not obey the local law and will commit different crimes as it happens in other European countries.  According to the newspaper, the residents even evaluate an option to establish citizens patrol to prevent possible crimes.