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.

• Recommendations of the UN Human Rights Committee to Latvia
• MP Juris Dobelis points to shortcomings of the procedure of the EP observers recall
• Jacques Simon, the State Secretary for EU Affairs of Belgium, on Russian criticism and Latvias accession to the EU
• Russian military expert about possible Russias military intervention in border states

The Human Rights Committee of the United Nations has released the Concluding Observations on Latvia’s report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Committee has provided recommendations in several fields, including police brutality, prison conditions, trafficking in human beings, gender inequality, etc.  Concerning non-citizens, the Committee recommends to further address the lack of applications for naturalization and possible obstacles posed by the Latvian language requirements; to further encourage the registration of children as citizens; to enable non-citizens who are long-term residents to participate in local elections; to prevent negative impact of the state language policy, which stipulates the requirement to communicate in Latvian with public authorities, suggesting the possible further development of translation services; to ensure that there be no negative impact on minorities of the transition to Latvian as the language of instruction. The Committee is also concerned with the social and economic situation of Roma in Latvia. The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks has referred to the government’ stance to promote naturalization, not to extend non-citizen’s rights.

The Human Rights Committee of the United Nations has released the Concluding Observations on Latvias report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Committee has provided recommendations in several fields, including police brutality, prison conditions, trafficking in human beings, gender inequality, etc. Concerning non-citizens, the Committee recommends to further address the lack of applications for naturalization and possible obstacles posed by the Latvian language requirements; to further encourage the registration of children as citizens; to enable non-citizens who are long-term residents to participate in local elections; to prevent negative impact of the state language policy, which stipulates the requirement to communicate in Latvian with public authorities, suggesting the possible further development of translation services; to ensure that there be no negative impact on minorities of the transition to Latvian as the language of instruction. The Committee is also concerned with the social and economic situation of Roma in Latvia. The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks has referred to the government stance to promote naturalization, not to extend non-citizens rights. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Lauku Avize

MP Juris Dobelis (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK), an observer to the European Parliament, has provided his comments to the European Parliament regarding  Saeima’s decision to recall Martjan Bekasov as an observer. According to Juris Dobelis, the goal of the Saeima was to express its stance on the deputy’s work and point to the shortcomings in the procedure of observers’ recall. He called on the EP to make a distinction between the expression of opinion and the distorted information provided by Bekasov.

MP Juris Dobelis (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK), an observer to the European Parliament, has provided his comments to the European Parliament regarding Saeimas decision to recall Martjan Bekasov as an observer. According to Juris Dobelis, the goal of the Saeima was to express its stance on the deputys work and point to the shortcomings in the procedure of observers recall. He called on the EP to make a distinction between the expression of opinion and the distorted information provided by Bekasov. Diena

The State Secretary for the EU Affairs of Belgium Jacques Simon has stated that Russia’s accusations of Latvia will not create problems in the process of Latvia’s accession to the EU. He believes that Latvia will find appropriate solutions in the area of minority situation.

The State Secretary for the EU Affairs of Belgium Jacques Simon has stated that Russias accusations of Latvia will not create problems in the process of Latvias accession to the EU. He believes that Latvia will find appropriate solutions in the area of minority situation. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize interviews Russian military expert Pavel Felgenhauer on the new Russian armed force doctrine providing for Russias military intervention into border states if Russias security is endangered, including the discrimination of a Diaspora. The Russian expert considers these Russian statements as a political, not a military threat, and does not see any real danger of Russias military intervention because of the weak capacity of the Russian army.