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.

• MPs refused a proposal to demand the government to explain to the Parliament the accommodation of asylum seekers in Latvia

Yesterday, majority of the MPs refused a proposal to demand the government to provide to the Parliament its explanation about the accommodation of asylum seekers in Latvia. As reported, the decision to accommodate 250 asylum seekers was adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers at a closed session. The National Union (NU, member of the governing coalition) criticized the fact that the decision was taken without open debates in the Parliament. However, after a conversation with the Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma, the NU abandoned its initial initiative to demand the government to explain its decision to the Parliament. According to the Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma, first group of asylum seekers most likely will arrive to Latvia by the end of winter. But until that time, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have to make sure that persons who will come are mentally similar to the residents of Baltic states, said Mrs Straujuma. At the same time, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Ilze Petersone-Godmane said that the main criteria for the persons who will be accommodated in Latvia is their conformity with the status of asylum seekers.Diena, Latvijas Avize