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.

• Head of the Saeima’s Citizenship, Migration and Society Consolidation Committee Ilmars Latkovskis: Latvia wants to accept Christian refugees first
• Saeima’s Legal Committee supported the draft law on restitution of Jewish properties
• Weekly IR interviews the first refugee who received Latvian citizenship

Yesterday, the Saeima’s Citizenship, Migration and Society Consolidation Committee discussed accommodation of asylum seekers in Latvia. Head of the Committee Ilmars Latkovskis proposed a resolution according to which Latvia wants to accept Christian refugees first. However, the MPs did not reach agreement on it and the text of the resolution was forwarded to the Saeima’s factions. Vesti Segodnya

The Saeima’s Legal Committee supported the draft law on restitution of Jewish properties. According to it, the state will return the Council of Jewish Congregations and Communities in Latviafive buildings which belonged to Jewish religious and public organisations before the WWII.  The discussions on restitution of Jewish properties have been taking place for several years without any outcome yet. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Weekly IR interviews the first refugee who received Latvian citizenship. The man arrived toLatvia in 1991 as a student but later his Palestinian refugee passport issued in Egypt became invalid. In 1998 he applied for asylum in Latvia, and in 2004 he was granted Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. He asserts he feels like Latvian and loves the state; however, since 2005 he resides with his Latvian wife and child in the United Kingdom.  He believes that the majority of asylum seekers who will arrive will not stay in Latvia due to the lack of integration system. He also says that the asylum seekers should be viewed as a resource for the state and this resource can benefit the society.