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.

• Illegal immigrants from Somalia applie for asylum in Latvia
• Chief of the State Boarder Guard Gunars Dabolins talks about immigration in Latvia
• An interview with the Head of the Department of Political Sciences of the University of Latvia Juris Rozenvalds

Seven illegal immigrants from Somalia have applied for asylum in Latvia. According to the director of the Department on Refugee Affairs of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) Baiba Bieza, it may take up to three months for the OCMA to make a decision about the granting the immigrants the refugee status. In the case of refusal they will be expelled from Latvia.

Seven illegal immigrants from Somalia have applied for asylum in Latvia. According to the director of the Department on Refugee Affairs of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) Baiba Bieza, it may take up to three months for the OCMA to make a decision about the granting the immigrants the refugee status. In the case of refusal they will be expelled from Latvia. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas

Vesti Segondya prints an interview with the chief of the State Boarder Guard, general Gunars Dabolins about immigration in Latvia. According to Gunars Dabolins, the number of refugees as well as illegal immigrants in Latvia grows slowly, however, convincingly. According to the statistics this year? 74 persons from Ukraine, Moldova, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran and Mexico tried to cross the Latvian border illegally.

Chas features an interview with the professor and the head of the Department of Political Sciences of the University of Latvia Juris Rozenvalds about ethnic integration in Latvia. Referring to the study on democracy in Latvia, the professor states that the large number of non-citizens is one of the main problems in Latvia. ‘Ignoring views held by a part of society is a dangerous process, which may lead to radicalisation of the society, adds Rozenvalds. The professor also believes that the governing elite, but Latvias First Party, addresses only the interests of Latvians, therefore maintenance of the opposition is very important.