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.

• Saeima accepted the draft law on the status of the EU permanent resident
• 20 persons have asked for asylum in Latvia in 2005
• FF/LNIM proposed the draft amendments to the Repatriation Law

Yesterday, the Saeima adopted the law on the status of the EU permanent resident in Latvia. According to the draft law the status is not an obligation and will not be granted automatically. The applicants will have to prove that s/he has been living in Latvia for past five years, has regular income, and Latvian language skills. However, the Russian daily

Yesterday, the Saeima adopted the law on the status of the EU permanent resident in Latvia. According to the draft law the status is not an obligation and will not be granted automatically. The applicants will have to prove that s/he has been living in Latvia for past five years, has regular income, and Latvian language skills. However, the Russian daily Chas writes that the law will not change in the status of Latvian non-citizens. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Vestnesis

Twenty persons have asked for asylum in Latvia in 2005, however, nobody has been granted the status. Among 20 applicants, there are seven persons from Somalia, six citizens of Iraq, three citizens of Russia, two citizens of Belarus, and one from Moldova and Japan. The representative of the Citizenship and Migration Board said that some applications have not being reviewed yet and the decisions will be taken during this year.

Twenty persons have asked for asylum in Latvia in 2005, however, nobody has been granted the status. Among 20 applicants, there are seven persons from Somalia, six citizens of Iraq, three citizens of Russia, two citizens of Belarus, and one from Moldova and Japan. The representative of the Citizenship and Migration Board said that some applications have not being reviewed yet and the decisions will be taken during this year. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, members of the Saeima’s right-wing political For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM proposed draft amendments to the Repatriation Law. FF/LNIM suggests that all Latvia’s residents and their descendants, who arrived to Latvia during the Soviet times, must be treated as repatriates.  However, the majority of MPs did not support the draft amendments.

Yesterday, members of the Saeimas right-wing political For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM proposed draft amendments to the Repatriation Law. FF/LNIM suggests that all Latvias residents and their descendants, who arrived to Latvia during the Soviet times, must be treated as repatriates. However, the majority of MPs did not support the draft amendments. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize