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.

• Latvijas Avize: the budget for accommodation of refugees and asylum seekers in 2016 is 5,5 millions euros
• Parliament supported the draft amendments stipulating that all the decisions regarding accommodation of asylum seekers in Latvia have to be adopted by the Parliament
• Public opinion survey: 69% of Latvian residents do not support the accommodation of asylum seekers from North Africa and Middle East

Latvijas Avize reports that the budget for accommodation of refugees and asylum seekers in 2016 inLatvia will be in the amount of at least 5,5 millions euros, including 2,5 millions euros from the EU grants. According to unofficial information provided by the newspaper, every asylum seeker will be given individual assistant who would help in search of job and place of residence, coordinate Latvian language learning and other issues. Also, asylum seekers most likely will be provided health insurance. The Ministry of Welfare and the Ministry of Culture will be responsible for integration of refugees and persons under subsidiary protection.

Yesterday, the Parliament supported in the first reading the draft amendments to the Asylum Law stipulating that all the decisions regarding accommodation of asylum seekers in Latvia have to be adopted by the Parliament.  The majority of the MPs supported such proposal despite the fact that the Saeima’s Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee refused it last week. Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnya

According to the latest public opinion survey conducted by “Latvijas fakti”, 69% of Latvian residents do not support accommodation of asylum seekers from North Africa and Middle East in Latvia. 18,1% support the accommodation, while 12,9% do not have clear opinion on the issue. Opposition to the accommodation of asylum seekers is greater among ethnic Latvians (71,9%) than among ethnic non-Latvians (64,9%). The most sceptical age group is the persons aged 55-64, while the most positive are the young people aged 18-24. Neatkariga, news agency LETA