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.

• Newspapers continue to report on the issues regarding planned accommodation of asylum seekers in Latvia
• Diena prints an article about Latvian language courses

Diena reports that the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments collected opinions of the different municipalities about accommodation of refugees and is creating a data base with contacts of those who are ready to give shelter to asylum seekers. The Association and the NGO “Shelter. Save House” also propose to establish so-called “halfway houses” where refugees could stay for some period of time.  Vesti Segodnya reports that the governing coalition supported the draft amendments to the Asylum Law stipulating that asylum seekers and refugees will have to attend Latvian language schools. Up to now, asylum seekers and refugees where given an option to choose whether to send children to the schools with instructions in Latvian language or in minority languages.  Neatkariga reports about a picket against accommodation of asylum seekers. The picket was organised in the centre of Riga by representatives of nationalistic organisations and gathered, according to different sources, around 500-1000 participants.

Diena prints an article about Latvian language courses. Free-of-charge Latvian language courses for Latvian residents are provided by the Employment State Agency, the Riga City Council and other local governments. According to representative of the Riga City Council and organisers of language courses, the demand for courses in very high and people are motivated to learn it. The majority of participants attend courses with an aim to receive a state language certificate. According to the State Education Content Centre, the majority (65%) of those takings the language exam are unemployed. Most of them are Latvian citizens while others are citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia, China, Lithuania and Azerbaijan.  95% of those taking the language exam need the language certificate for accessing employment, while 4% take the exam in order to receive permanent residence permit.