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.

• Unknown persons painted Islamophobic title on a wall of a mosque in Riga
• Working group presented its plan on accommodation and integration of asylum seekers in Latvia
• Latvijas Avize reports about education option for school-age asylum seekers

Unknown persons painted a title in English “Your Allah - your problem, go home!” on a wall of a mosque in Riga: The incident happened on 27 September during the night time. Commenting the incident, representatives of the Latvian Islam Cultural Centre drew attention to increasing level of Islamophobia in Latviaand called mass media to be more careful in the way information regarding Islam is presented. Vesti Segodnya, news agency LETA

Yesterday, the inter-institutional working group headed by the Ministry of Interior presented to the government a plan for accommodation and integration of asylum seekers and refugees in Latvia. The plan has three directions: selection of persons and their transportation to Latvia; accommodation of asylum seekers; integration. Latvian representatives will choose asylum seekers according to certain criteria and will inform potential candidates about different aspects of life in Latvia, including normative regulations and rights, as well as weather conditions. After arrival to Latvia, they will be accommodated at the centre for accommodation of asylum seekers “Mucinieki” which should be renovated and adjusted to a larger number of persons. The plan foresees building of a multifunctional centre suitable for Latvian language learning courses, integration events and provision of different services. The plan also foresees access to Latvian language courses and employment options, such as temporary jobs at the accommodation centre and its territory, starting with first day of the arrival. Once asylum seeker is granted refugee or subsidiary status in Latvia, he or she will receive benefit in amount of EUR256 and health insurance for time period up to one year. In order to prepare refugees for life outside the accommodation centre, they will be assigned individual advisors. According to initial calculations of the working group, the implementation of the plan could cost around 16 millions euros, including the EU funds. As reported, Latviawill have to accommodate 531 asylum seekers during two years. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga

Latvijas Avize reports that the Ministry of Education has agreement with eight schools on education of asylum seekers. Six of the schools are located inRiga and two in Dobele and Jelgava (towns in the central part ofLatvia.) Three of those are minority schools. According to the plan proposed by the inter-institutional working group on accommodation and integration of asylum seekers and refugees, school-age children will learn only Latvian language during first three months. Once children are enrolled to school, they will study according to individual programmes. It is also planned to provide special training for teachers. Up to now,Riga secondary school No. 15 (school with minority education programme) has the biggest experience in education of asylum seekers. The school director believes that it is easier for asylum seekers to learn Latvian in minority schools as Latvian language in these schools is taught according to foreign language learning methodology.