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.

• Ombudsman Juris Jansons proposes to conduct a consultative referendum about accommodation of refugees in Latvia
• Interview with the head of the Riga Office of the International Organisation for Migration Ilmars Mezs about possible accommodation of asylum seekers in Latvia

The Ombudsman Juris Jansons proposes to conduct a consultative referendum about accommodation of refugees in Latvia. The Ombudsman believes that democratic state should listen to the society’s opinion on such issues. Head of the Saeima’s Foreign Affairs Committee, MP Ojars Eriks Kalnins (Unity) does not see the necessity for such referendum and believes that it is rather important to inform the society about the European migration policy and its impact. He stresses that so far there were too many emotional slogans about this issue and no serious discussion about the accommodation of refugees for the larger public. Mr Kalnins also says that it is dangerous to take decision on difficult political issues through public survey if residents have not profoundly explored the issue. The MP Rihards Kols (National Union) does not support such referendum but believes that it would be enough with a public opinion survey showing negative attitude of residents towards the issue. Expert on the constitutional rights Edgars Pastars believes that issue on accommodation of refugees should be decided by the government as it is related to the international humanitarian obligations. Latvijas Avize

Diena interviews the head of the Riga Office of the International Organisation for Migration Ilmars Mezs about possible accommodation of asylum seekers inLatvia. Mr Mezs stresses that people often confuse who are illegal immigrants and who are asylum seekers or refugees. It is obligation of the society to rescue refugees and no one demandsLatvia to accommodate illegal immigrants, says Mr Mezs. He agree that Latvia should take fair part in the refugee burden that the other European countries face. However, he does not agree to the number of asylum seekers to be accommodated in Latvia as proposed by the European Commission. Ilmars Mezs believes that such number (737 – refugees per year) is too high andLatvia will not manage it. He says that even thoughEUR 6,000 will be granted for each accommodated asylum seeker, it will not be enough because about a third of this amount or up to a half, most likely, will be spent on administrative costs. And afterEUR 6,000 are spent, the Latvian budget or tax payers will be forced to ensure provision for them. He also doubts that the persons accommodated in Latvia will successful in integrating in the labour market even after two or three years. “Many of them, especially, those who come from African countries, will not have any education, there will be many illiterates who will be able to work only the least qualified jobs” says Ilmars Mezs. According to Mr. Mezs, most of those refugees who already live in Latvia, are not able to integrate into the labour market and to provide for themselves also after a year or two spent in Latvia, and big share of those who received refugee status in Latvia are already living in some rich West European counties.  Mr Mezs also says that the benefits for the refugees should be comparable to the standard of living of the poorest Latvian residents. Refugee quotas would also facilitate the business of trafficking in human beings, believes Mr. Mezs. As the possible solution of the issue, Ilmars Mezs proposes that Latvia as a pilot-project could try to accommodate 50-100 persons and to see whether after a year or two the majority of them is well integrated, ensures provisions for themselves and families and after that to consider whether the number proposed by the European Commission in feasible for Latvia.