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.

• Seven Somalians refused in provision of asylum in Latvia
• Riga Regional Court will review a complaint from Yuriy Petropavlovskiy
• Security Police started prosecution of Ainis Sprogis in referring to the conclusion of the director of the LCHRES

Yesterday, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs refused to grant the status of refugees or alternative status for seven asylum seekers from Somalia. The Office argues that the status of refugee is granted if the applicant faces real threats in his/her country because of his/her ethnicity/race/religion/political beliefs and that the status is not granted because of economic circumstances experienced by the applicant. According to Latvian legislation, the seven Somalians have seven days to appeal the decision. If the appellation is turned down as well, Somalians  have to leave Latvia. As reported, in August seven persons who claimed to be from Somalia  arrived in Latvia in August and applied for asylum.

Yesterday, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs refused to grant the status of refugees or alternative status for seven asylum seekers from Somalia. The Office argues that the status of refugee is granted if the applicant faces real threats in his/her country because of his/her ethnicity/race/religion/political beliefs and that the status is not granted because of economic circumstances experienced by the applicant. According to Latvian legislation, the seven Somalians have seven days to appeal the decision. If the appellation is turned down as well, Somalians have to leave Latvia. As reported, in August seven persons who claimed to be from Somalia arrived in Latvia in August and applied for asylum. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena, NRA

Today, the Riga Regional Court will review a complaint by Yurijs Petropavlovskis about the refusal of the Cabinet of Minister to grant him Latvian citizenship. As reported, the Cabinet of Ministers refused to grant Yurijs Petropavlovskis Latvian citizenship although he had passed naturalization exams. The Cabinet of Ministers argued that Petropavlovskis is not a loyal citizen because of his activities (as a member of the Headquarters) in organizing protest actions against the implementation of the minority education reform.

Today, the Riga Regional Court will review a complaint by Yurijs Petropavlovskis about the refusal of the Cabinet of Minister to grant him Latvian citizenship. As reported, the Cabinet of Ministers refused to grant Yurijs Petropavlovskis Latvian citizenship although he had passed naturalization exams. The Cabinet of Ministers argued that Petropavlovskis is not a loyal citizen because of his activities (as a member of the Headquarters) in organizing protest actions against the implementation of the minority education reform. Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize is writing about the case of Ainis Sprogis accused in alleged incitement of ethnic hatred. As reported, the Security Police asked the Prosecutors Office to start criminal prosecution of Ainis Sprogis because of his calls to foster repatriation of occupants from Latvia on a TV show. The newspaper reports that the charges against Ainis Sprogis were brought on the basis of the conclusion about his statments made by human rights expert Ilze Brands Kehre. According to the newspaper, Ainis Sprogis has tried to object to the conclusion because IlzeBrands Kehre is not a neutral expert, but a person with certain political beliefs…who has criticized politicians who hold nationalistic beliefs. However, the prosecutor has also concluded that the statements made by Ainis Sprogis incite ethnic hatred.