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.

• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga promulgated the Law on the Status of EU Permanent Resident
• Seven Somalians released from the camp for illegal immigrants
• Case on the alleged bribery in the Naturalisation Board forwarded to the Riga Regional Court

On Thursday, the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga promulgated the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status. As reported, the Law includes provisions which stipulate that 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 in order to receive the status of EU permanent resident. In June, 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 together with 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 President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga promulgated the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status. As reported, the Law includes provisions which stipulate that 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 in order to receive the status of EU permanent resident. In June, 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 together with third country nationals as according to effective Latvian legal norms they have specific rights. However, the Saeima adopted the Law without changes. Chas, NRA

On Friday, the Latvian State Boarder Guard released seven Somalians from the Olaine Camp for illegal immigrants without providing any other place to stay.  A representative of the Boarder Guard stated that according to effective legal norms regarding migration, asylum seekers and refugees they are not entitled to either to provide board for the seven Somalians as of  8 July or any other assistance. The lawyer of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights comments that the situation is nothing new and reveals serious gaps in Latvian legal norms in the field. As, reported the seven Somalians – including 3 minors - arrived in Latvia in August 2005 and since then have been unsuccessfully going through asylum seeker procedures.

On Friday, the Latvian State Boarder Guard released seven Somalians from the Olaine Camp for illegal immigrants without providing any other place to stay. A representative of the Boarder Guard stated that according to effective legal norms regarding migration, asylum seekers and refugees they are not entitled to either to provide board for the seven Somalians as of 8 July or any other assistance. The lawyer of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights comments that the situation is nothing new and reveals serious gaps in Latvian legal norms in the field. As, reported the seven Somalians – including 3 minors - arrived in Latvia in August 2005 and since then have been unsuccessfully going through asylum seeker procedures. Diena

On Friday, the Prosecutor General Office forwarded a case on the alleged bribery in the Naturalisation Board to the Riga Regional Court. The head of the Valmiera’s branch of the Naturalization Board, the head of the headquarters of Riga Municipality Police and an entrepreneur are charged for receiving bribes for helping to receive Latvian citizenship.

On Friday, the Prosecutor General Office forwarded a case on the alleged bribery in the Naturalisation Board to the Riga Regional Court. The head of the Valmieras branch of the Naturalization Board, the head of the headquarters of Riga Municipality Police and an entrepreneur are charged for receiving bribes for helping to receive Latvian citizenship. NRA, Chas