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 Report

Press Report

Last Tuesday Latvia initialed an agreement on a non-visa regime with Norway and an agreement on the return of illegal immigrants. During the meeting the Norwegian side paid special interest to the procedure of the issuance of Latvian citizens' passports and their quality. The agreement will be signed after Latvia adopts the Law on Refugees and ratifies the Convention on Refugees. Latvia has already established a non-visa regime with Denmark and Iceland and initialed similar agreements with other Nordic countries. The agreements will come into force after the adoption of the Law on Refugees.

Last Tuesday Latvia initialed an agreement on a non-visa regime with Norway and an agreement on the return of illegal immigrants. During the meeting the Norwegian side paid special interest to the procedure of the issuance of Latvian citizens' passports and their quality. The agreement will be signed after Latvia adopts the Law on Refugees and ratifies the Convention on Refugees. Latvia has already established a non-visa regime with Denmark and Iceland and initialed similar agreements with other Nordic countries. The agreements will come into force after the adoption of the Law on Refugees. Diena

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The Saeima Human Rights Committee adopted the Draft Law on Refugees while the Cabinet of Ministers passed the 1951 Convention on refugees to the Saeima for ratification. Latvia has to ratify the said documents before the European Committee starts to consider potential candidates for European Union membership. Still, some politicians believe that the Law on Refugees cannot be adopted before Latvia resolves the issue of its border with Russia and signs agreements on illegal immigration with Russia and Byelorussia. Such an opinion was expressed by member of the Saeima Defense Committee Janis Adamsons. Neatkariga

According to Deputy-Chairman of the Baltic Council Janis Ritenis, Baltic Council Commissioner Ole Espersen admitted that Latvia was more successful than Estonia in maintaining its relations with neighboring countries. Mr. Ritenis said that the Baltic Council Commissioner did not make any critical remarks after visiting the Naturalization Board, the Human Rights Office and other institutions. Mr. Espersen praised the work of the

According to Deputy-Chairman of the Baltic Council Janis Ritenis, Baltic Council Commissioner Ole Espersen admitted that Latvia was more successful than Estonia in maintaining its relations with neighboring countries. Mr. Ritenis said that the Baltic Council Commissioner did not make any critical remarks after visiting the Naturalization Board, the Human Rights Office and other institutions. Mr. Espersen praised the work of the Satversme Court and noted that Latvia was the only country openly discussing the issue of naturalization.

Natalya Vselenskaya (a common law wife of pop-singer Gallaktionov) was deported to Russia yesterday. According to Mr. Gallaktionov, Russian border-guards have been ordered not to allow N.Vselenskaya to enter the territory of Russia since she does not have a Russian passport. Still, according to Gallaktionov and the CID, she is a Russia citizen. Mr. Gallaktionov told the press that the Immigration Police did not inform her of the expulsion order that was signed by CID Director Zitars already on April 22. Vselenskaya's second husband was a Russian serviceman and has left Latvia. Her father is a retired serviceman legally residing in Latvia (This fact was not mentioned by Head of the Immigration Police Janis Kaudze to

Natalya Vselenskaya (a common law wife of pop-singer Gallaktionov) was deported to Russia yesterday. According to Mr. Gallaktionov, Russian border-guards have been ordered not to allow N.Vselenskaya to enter the territory of Russia since she does not have a Russian passport. Still, according to Gallaktionov and the CID, she is a Russia citizen. Mr. Gallaktionov told the press that the Immigration Police did not inform her of the expulsion order that was signed by CID Director Zitars already on April 22. Vselenskaya's second husband was a Russian serviceman and has left Latvia. Her father is a retired serviceman legally residing in Latvia (This fact was not mentioned by Head of the Immigration Police Janis Kaudze to "NEATKARIGA"). Vselenskaya is a Russian citizens but does not hold a Russian passport. The CID claims that she was denied registration in 1992 and resided in Latvia illegally since then. She was born in 1973 in Herson and moved to Latvia with her mother in 1976. SM, PL, Neatkariga