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.

• 18-year old man found guilty for incitement to racial hatred
• Saeimas Legal Affairs Committee refused proposed amendments to the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status
• European Parliament adopted a report on the EU strategy on prevention of discrimination prepared by the Latvian MEP Tatyana Zhdanok
• Saeimas Legal Affairs Committee refused a proposal which would allow to use any language during sessions of parliamentary committees
• Latvijas Avize features an article about skinheads and manifestations of racism and in Latvia

Yesterday, the Riga Latgale District Court sentenced an 18-year old man to a one-year suspended imprisonment for incitement to racial hatred. As reported, in February a young man burned a cross in front of the house where a dark-skinned person lives. The man admitted that he does not like dark-skinned people and burning of the cross was a protest against his dark-skinned neighbour.

Yesterday, the Riga Latgale District Court sentenced an 18-year old man to a one-year suspended imprisonment for incitement to racial hatred. As reported, in February a young man burned a cross in front of the house where a dark-skinned person lives. The man admitted that he does not like dark-skinned people and burning of the cross was a protest against his dark-skinned neighbour. Chas, Latvijas Avize, Diena

Yesterday, the Saeima’s Legal Affairs Committee refused the draft amendments to the Law on the Status of the EU Permanent Resident developed by the opposition party which provided that Latvian non-citizens should be granted the status without any requirements. As reported, 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. The current version of the Law stipulates that in order to receive the status of the EU permanent resident applicants, 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.

Yesterday, the Saeimas Legal Affairs Committee refused the draft amendments to the Law on the Status of the EU Permanent Resident developed by the opposition party which provided that Latvian non-citizens should be granted the status without any requirements. As reported, 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. The current version of the Law stipulates that in order to receive the status of the EU permanent resident applicants, 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. Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, the European Parliament adopted a report on the EU strategy on prevention of discrimination prepared by the Latvian MEP Tatyana Zhdanok. However, the MEPs did not approve the wording which provided naming of particular groups, such as non-citizens and Roma. As reported, the report sets a strategic aim to ensure a proportional representation and participation of various groups in all spheres, including politics and state administration.

Yesterday, the European Parliament adopted a report on the EU strategy on prevention of discrimination prepared by the Latvian MEP Tatyana Zhdanok. However, the MEPs did not approve the wording which provided naming of particular groups, such as non-citizens and Roma. As reported, the report sets a strategic aim to ensure a proportional representation and participation of various groups in all spheres, including politics and state administration. Chas, Vesti Segodnya , Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena

The Saeima’s Legal Affairs Committee refused the draft amendments to the Saeima regulations proposed by the union For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL). FHRUL proposed that the MPs could speak any language including Russian during the sessions of parliamentary committees.

The Saeimas Legal Affairs Committee refused the draft amendments to the Saeima regulations proposed by the union For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL). FHRUL proposed that the MPs could speak any language including Russian during the sessions of parliamentary committees. Chas, Latvijas Aviz

Latvijas Avize features an article about skinheads and manifestations of racism in Latvia. The author provides a detailed story on three young men who physically assaulted a dark-skinned citizen of the United States in July 2005.