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.

Press Review

According to the State Human Rights Office, the Citizenship Law violates the rights of children brought up in orphanages whose birth certificates do not state their parents. Such children either cannot receive citizenship, or are to overcome considerable difficulties while obtaining it. The Human Rights Office has received a complaint from an orphan who is trying to find his mother's birth certificate required to receive Latvian citizenship. The Office believes that the Law subjects orphans to a psychological stress by making them search for their parents who have abandoned them in their early childhood. The Citizenship Law does not allow to give Latvian citizenship to orphans or children abandoned by their parents if their parents were not citizens or if their parents' citizenship is not known. This provision puts the Law into contradiction with the international Convention on Children's Rights acceded by Latvia. The Human Rights Office submitted corresponding draft amendments to the

According to the State Human Rights Office, the Citizenship Law violates the rights of children brought up in orphanages whose birth certificates do not state their parents. Such children either cannot receive citizenship, or are to overcome considerable difficulties while obtaining it. The Human Rights Office has received a complaint from an orphan who is trying to find his mother's birth certificate required to receive Latvian citizenship. The Office believes that the Law subjects orphans to a psychological stress by making them search for their parents who have abandoned them in their early childhood. The Citizenship Law does not allow to give Latvian citizenship to orphans or children abandoned by their parents if their parents were not citizens or if their parents' citizenship is not known. This provision puts the Law into contradiction with the international Convention on Children's Rights acceded by Latvia. The Human Rights Office submitted corresponding draft amendments to the Saeima Human Rights Committee. The amendments provide for granting citizenship to all orphans and abandoned children brought up in Latvia's orphanages. The Committee declined the amendments explaining that the Coalition Agreement did not allow to amend the Citizenship Law. Diena

The Union of Councils Baltic Office informed

The Union of Councils Baltic Office informed "DIENA" about the violation of rights of former concentration camp prisoners. The letter by the American human rights organization refers to numerous cases when non-citizens were refused the status of the politically repressed although they were Nazi concentration camp prisoners during World War II. According to the Union of Councils, 30 thousand non-citizens do not have the status only because they are not citizens of Latvia. A spokesman for the Riga City Council admitted that he was informed about several cases when municipal officials refused to give the status to non-citizens residing in Latvia thus violating the applicable law. The Law provides equal rights for the status to citizens and non-citizens. Diena

The Latvian Human Rights Committee held a press-conference on the problem of illegal residents. Around six thousand persons are residing in Latvia illegally and cannot enjoy any social benefits and cannot not be legally employed. Co-Chairman of the Committee Gennady Kotov informed the press about the most striking cases. The CID has already suggested to issue non-citizens' passports to illegal residents.

The Latvian Human Rights Committee held a press-conference on the problem of illegal residents. Around six thousand persons are residing in Latvia illegally and cannot enjoy any social benefits and cannot not be legally employed. Co-Chairman of the Committee Gennady Kotov informed the press about the most striking cases. The CID has already suggested to issue non-citizens' passports to illegal residents. PL

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima committees received the draft of the Second Part of the Satversme. The document defines human rights on the constitutional level. Peoples Harmony objects to the paragraphs of the draft document that do not allow non-citizens to take part in local elections. Saimnieks also supports the idea of granting the right to non-citizens. Its member Mr. Ernests Jurkans said that the party would raise the issue at the meeting of the Governing coalition factions. SM

Saeima member Janis Urbanovics (

Saeima member Janis Urbanovics (Peoples Harmony) drew a parallel between recent statements by TB/LNNK members and the 1933 events in Germany. He accused Ms. Lace (TB) of stirring ethnic hatred. SM