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 did not change the Law on the Status of the EU Permanent Resident
• Latvian President Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga criticizes MPs for promotion of intolerance
• Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone: Latvian language is a basic integration tool in Latvia
• Representatives of the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee and members of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation pay a visit to Latvia

On Thursday, the Saeima did not support the draft amendments to the Law on the Status of the EU Permanent Resident developed by the pro-minority parties. The draft amendments provided that Latvian non-citizens should be granted the status without any requirements. As reported, the current version of the Law stipulates that in order to receive the status of the EU permanent resident third country nationals, including Latvian non-citizens, shall be subjected to several requirements, in particular demonstrate Latvian language skills, prove that they are permanent residents of Latvia, and pay the state fee. The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga returned the Law back to the Saeima for its repeated revision arguing that Latvian non-citizens should not be included in one category of third country nationals as according to effective Latvian legal norms they have specific rights. However, the Saeima adopted the Law without changes.

On Thursday, the Saeima did not support the draft amendments to the Law on the Status of the EU Permanent Resident developed by the pro-minority parties. The draft amendments provided that Latvian non-citizens should be granted the status without any requirements. As reported, the current version of the Law stipulates that in order to receive the status of the EU permanent resident third country nationals, including Latvian non-citizens, shall be subjected to several requirements, in particular demonstrate Latvian language skills, prove that they are permanent residents of Latvia, and pay the state fee. The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga returned the Law back to the Saeima for its repeated revision arguing that Latvian non-citizens should not be included in one category of third country nationals as according to effective Latvian legal norms they have specific rights. However, the Saeima adopted the Law without changes. Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize, Diena, NRA

On Thursday, the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga addressed MPs at the last parliamentary session. The President criticized the Saeima for several recently adopted Laws (including the Law on Status of the EU Permanent Resident) arguing that they are aimed not at integration of society, but will bring intolerance. The President stated: “there is only one Latvia, and there are no “ours” and “aliens”, no “right” or “others”… The Saeima as the authorized representative of the nation has to protect its basic values - democracy, rule of law and respect towards human rights and freedoms.”

On Thursday, the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga addressed MPs at the last parliamentary session. The President criticized the Saeima for several recently adopted Laws (including the Law on Status of the EU Permanent Resident) arguing that they are aimed not at integration of society, but will bring intolerance. The President stated: there is only one Latvia, and there are no ours and aliens, no right or others… The Saeima as the authorized representative of the nation has to protect its basic values - democracy, rule of law and respect towards human rights and freedoms. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena, Latvijas Avize

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone in an interview with the National Radio stated that the Latvian language is the instrument of integration and consolidation of society in Latvia.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone in an interview with the National Radio stated that the Latvian language is the instrument of integration and consolidation of society in Latvia. Chas

Representatives of the

Representatives of the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee and members of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation visited Latvia last week. In the framework of the visit the members of the delegation met with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone to discuss the situation of ethnic minorities and integration process in Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya