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.

• Neatkariga prints an article about asylum procedure in Latvia and the EU
• Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg: large number of non-citizens in Latvia and Estonia is a serious problem for Europe

Neatkariga prints an article about asylum procedure in Latvia and the EU. According to the article, there is no common approach to the asylum procedure in the EU countries and each country follows own guidelines evaluating asylum seeker cases. Newspaper notes that the majority of asylum seekers in Latvia receives negative decision and gets expelled from the country. 160 persons appealed for asylum in Latvia from the beginning of the year till the end of July.

Large number of non-citizens in Latvia and Estonia is a serious problem for Europe – stated the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg. According to the Commissioner, number of those non-citizens who received citizenship during past years increased and non-citizens granted rights to travel and work, however, even those non-citizens who were born in Latvia and Estonia still do not have voting rights in national elections.

Large number of non-citizens in Latvia and Estonia is a serious problem for Europe – stated the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg. According to the Commissioner, number of those non-citizens who received citizenship during past years increased and non-citizens granted rights to travel and work, however, even those non-citizens who were born in Latvia and Estonia still do not have voting rights in national elections. Chas