Integration monitor
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.
Авг. 21, 2015
- Weekly Sestdiena questions the MPs on whether refugees can receive Latvian citizenship
Weekly Sestdiena questions the MPs about refugees’ right for Latvian citizenship. The Head of the Saeima’s Legal Committee Ojars Eriks Kalnins (Unity) says that refugees have right for Latvian citizenship after they have resided inLatvia for the certain period of time, learned Latvian language and were able to integrate in the society. Mr Kalnins believes that government, politicians, entrepreneurs, religious and non-governmental organisations, and the society in general should be actively involved in the process of successful integration of refugees. The MP Edvins Snore (National Union), in his turn, doubts that refugees will be able to integrate so well to apply for citizenship. He says statement thatLatvia is able to assimilate at least one refugee is tragicomic. He is also sceptical that refugees will want to learn Latvian language and receive citizenship comparing them with large number of Russian speaking residents who have lived inLatvia for many years and are not proficient in Latvian.