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.

• Debates about possible solution for decrease of the number of non-citizens
• Head of the Latvian Roma National Cultural Association Normunds Rudevics proposed to introduce scholarships for Roma children as a motivation for attending the secondary schools
• Information Centre for Immigrants established by the NGO “Shelter “Save House”” in five Latvian cities

The discussion on naturalization and non-citizens, held in the framework of the President’s Centenary Council (the Council established with an aim to monitor the way the nation celebrates its 100th birthday), raised debate on possible solution of non-citizenship issue in Latvia. The members of the Council agreed that it is necessary to look for solutions, but have not proposed any concrete ideas yet. The President Raimonds Vejonis stated that the large number of non-citizens in Latvia is not a good signal, but mass-scale naturalisation would not be the right solution. Also the group of experts on integration, formed by the President, analyses various solutions for decreasing the number of non-citizens, for instance, granting automatic of citizenship to children or easing the naturalisation procedure. The Mayor of Rezekne (city in the Eastern part of Latvia) Aleksandrs Bartasevics stated that granting voting rights to non-citizens, thus increasing their loyalty towards the state and promoting national stability, could be a step forward. The MP Raivis Dzintars (National Union) supported an idea about a campaign promoting patriotism and motivating residents for naturalisation. However, he does not support further easing the naturalisation procedure, allegedly because it is already easy enough. According to the Register of Residents, there were 1,304,392 citizens and 252,017 non-citizens in Latvia in the beginning of 2016. News agency LETA, lsm.lv, delfi.lv, Latvijas Avize

The Head of the Latvian Roma National Cultural Association Normunds Rudevics proposed to introduce scholarships for Roma children as a motivation for attending the secondary schools. According to Mr Rudevics, the most of Roma families have low-income status, and if the child knows he can bring benefit to the family, it will be a motivation to attend the school. Mr. Rudevics also believes that Roma should be given quotas in higher education establishments. Neatkariga

The Society “Shelter “Save House”” established the Information Centre for Immigrants in the framework of the project granted by the Ministry of Culture. The Information Centre is established in Riga, Liepaja, Daugavpils, Cesis and Jelgava. The task of the centre is to provide consultations to immigrants on employment, education, social aid and other issues. More information is available at: http://www.patverums-dm.lv/en/information-centre-for-immigrants-is-open-in-riga-and-four-latvian-regions/768