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.

• Diena reports on a shortage of Arabic language interpreters in Latvia
• MPsvisited the Latvian Islamic Cultural Centre

Diena reports on a shortage of Arabic language interpreters who could work with asylum seekers in Latvia.  According to the head of the Arabic Cultural Centre Hosams Abu Meri, very few Arabic language specialists are able to translate complicated official documents. The results of the job announcement of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs for the post of interviewers of asylum seekers (which require proficiency in Arabic), also demonstrated the lack of Arabic language specialists – only couple of applicants out of 38 have studied Arabic language.

Yesterday, members of the Saeima’s Citizenship, Migration and Society Consolidation Committee visited the Latvian Islamic Cultural Centre. Regarding the expected accommodation of asylum seekers in Latvia, the Centre’s representatives said that the government should listen to the needs of Muslims and potential problems they might face. The centre also asserts that it tries to avoid politics and any signs of radicalization. Neatkariga