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.

• Cabinet of Ministers approved accommodation of 776 asylum seekers in Latvia
• State Language Centre will not punish the State Audit Office for translation of the audit report of a municipal enterprise into Russian language

Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the position on accommodation of asylum seekers in Latvia. The position was prepared by the Ministry of Interior. According to it, Latvia agrees to accept 526 asylum seekers in addition to 250 persons it agreed to accept earlier. The position says that Latvia agrees to voluntary redistribution of asylum seekers across the EU member states. The position was supported by all the ministers of the Unity and the Union of Greens and Farmers except the Minister of Health Gunars Belevics who voted against it together with the ministers of the National Union. Further the position has to be approved by the Saeima’s European Affairs Committee. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Ilze Petersone-Godmane in an interview with Latvijas Avize said that the working group on accommodation of asylum seekers has outlined the desired profile of persons the state would like to receive – families with children; persons proficient at least in one foreign language such as English, French or German; persons with education; and Christians. Mrs Petersone-Godmane stressed that these are preferable characteristics and it will not be possible to include such discriminatory characteristic as religious affiliation in the official documentation. She also said that before sending asylum seekers to Latvia they will be asked whether they want to move here. Latvijas Avize, Diena, Neatkariga

The State Language Centre will not punish the State Audit Office for translation of the audit report of a municipal enterprise “Riga House Manager” into Russian language. The Head of the State Audit Office Elita Krumina explained that the decision to translate the report into Russian language was taken due to high interest of Russian speaking residents towards it, the ethnic structure of Riga, and the fact that the report affects large range of clients. The SLC approved that the state institutions can translate its information upon requests from residents. Moreover, the State Audit Office is required to inform the society about the activities of national and municipal institutions. Latvijas Avize