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.

• OSCE/ODIHR presented its report and recommendations for Latvia
• Cabinet of Ministers sent a response letter to the UN Human Rights Committee about the case of Raihman v. Latvia
• President of Latvia Andris Berzins does not support granting citizenship to all non-citizens automatically
• Presidents Council on Ethnic Minorities discussed with students and pupils consolidation of society

Representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe /the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) who observed voting process at the Saeima’s snap elections in September 2011 repeatedly visited Latvia in order to present its report and recommendations. The OSCE/ODIHR calls Latvian state institutions to be more flexible in providing the official information about the elections in minority languages. The OSCE/ODIHR also recommends to simplify naturalisation process for persons over 65 years old; to implement campaigns on promotion of naturalisation; to ensure residents with free-of-charge Latvian language courses; and to continue discussions on granting Latvian citizenship to new-born children of non-citizens automatically. 

Representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe/the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) who observed voting process at the Saeimas snap elections in September 2011 repeatedly visited Latvia in order to present its report and recommendations. The OSCE/ODIHR calls Latvian state institutions to be more flexible in providing the official information about the elections in minority languages. The OSCE/ODIHR also recommends to simplify naturalisation process for persons over 65 years old; to implement campaigns on promotion of naturalisation; to ensure residents with free-of-charge Latvian language courses; and to continue discussions on granting Latvian citizenship to new-born children of non-citizens automatically. Latvijas Avize

The Cabinet of Ministers sent a response letter to the UN Human Rights Committee about the case of Raihman v. Latvia. As reported, in December 2010, the UN HR Committee decided that the Latvianisation of non-Latvian names and surnames (such as adding ending -s) in official documents issued in Latvia is interference in private life. However, Latvia still did not eliminate the violation and is not planning to take measures in order to prevent similar violations in future. The Cabinet of Ministers explains the UN HR Committee that there is no need to change the existing practice and refers to specifications of Latvian grammar and the case law which tolerate changes of names. The Cabinet of Ministers also expresses regrets that the UN HR Committee adopting the decision did not take into account Latvia’s historical background and the fact that during the Soviet era names of ethnic Latvians were also changed according to Russian grammar.

The Cabinet of Ministers sent a response letter to the UN Human Rights Committee about the case of Raihman v. Latvia. As reported, in December 2010, the UN HR Committee decided that the Latvianisation of non-Latvian names and surnames (such as adding ending -s) in official documents issued in Latvia is interference in private life. However, Latvia still did not eliminate the violation and is not planning to take measures in order to prevent similar violations in future. The Cabinet of Ministers explains the UN HR Committee that there is no need to change the existing practice and refers to specifications of Latvian grammar and the case law which tolerate changes of names. The Cabinet of Ministers also expresses regrets that the UN HR Committee adopting the decision did not take into account Latvias historical background and the fact that during the Soviet era names of ethnic Latvians were also changed according to Russian grammar. Chas

The President of Latvia Andris Berzins does not support granting citizenship to all non-citizens automatically and granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. Mr President believes that such actions would be unfair towards those non-citizens who went trough naturalisation process.

The President of Latvia Andris Berzins does not support granting citizenship to all non-citizens automatically and granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. Mr President believes that such actions would be unfair towards those non-citizens who went trough naturalisation process. Chas

The President’s Council on Ethnic Minorities held a discussion with students and pupils of Latvian and Russian language schools discussing consolidation of society. The members of the discussion agreed that society consolidation issues in the majority of cases are politically exaggerated, especially before the important social or political events or voting. The President Andris Berzins stated that since the first years of its Latvia was strong in terms of national diversity and will retain this strength in the further.

The Presidents Council on Ethnic Minorities held a discussion with students and pupils of Latvian and Russian language schools discussing consolidation of society. The members of the discussion agreed that society consolidation issues in the majority of cases are politically exaggerated, especially before the important social or political events or voting. The President Andris Berzins stated that since the first years of its Latvia was strong in terms of national diversity and will retain this strength in the further. Latvijas Avize