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.

• Saeima repeatedly approved draft amendments to the Immigration Law which stipulate granting permanent residency permits to foreign investors
• Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs refused application for naturalisation from Latvian National Bolshevik Vladimirs Lindermans
• Annual report of the Security Police: extremists actively use Internet; foreign forces use youth organisations with an aim to realise undesirable processes in Latvia
• Nationalistic party All for Latvia! calls Latvian residents to ignore 9 May events

Yesterday, the Saeima repeatedly approved draft amendments to the Immigration Law which stipulate granting permanent residency permits to foreign investors. According to the amendments, permanent residence permit for time up to five years can be granted to a foreigner who invested at least LVL 25,000 in the nominal capital of an enterprise registered in Latvia and paid taxes in amount not less than LVL 20,000 residence permit also can be granted to a foreigner who bought real estate in Riga for over LVL 100,000 or in Latvian regions for over LVL 50,000. Foreigners who invested at least LVL 200,000 in Latvian credit institution also have right for residence permit. Nationally minded politicians are planning to hold a referendum protesting against these amendments.

Yesterday, the Saeima repeatedly approved draft amendments to the Immigration Law which stipulate granting permanent residency permits to foreign investors. According to the amendments, permanent residence permit for time up to five years can be granted to a foreigner who invested at least LVL 25,000 in the nominal capital of an enterprise registered in Latvia and paid taxes in amount not less than LVL 20,000 residence permit also can be granted to a foreigner who bought real estate in Riga for over LVL 100,000 or in Latvian regions for over LVL 50,000. Foreigners who invested at least LVL 200,000 in Latvian credit institution also have right for residence permit. Nationally minded politicians are planning to hold a referendum protesting against these amendments. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) refused application for naturalisation from Latvian National Bolshevik Vladimirs Lindermans. The reason for refusal is that Mr. Lindermans did not have declaration of his place of residence in Latvia during the last five years. V

The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) refused application for naturalisation from Latvian National Bolshevik Vladimirs Lindermans. The reason for refusal is that Mr. Lindermans did not have declaration of his place of residence in Latvia during the last five years. Vesti Segodnya

According to the annual report of the Security Police, various extremists actively use Internet for propaganda of their views, incitement to ethnic hatred and for recruiting of new members. The SP also considers that there are particular forces working trough youth organisations which politicize various educational and cultural events with an aim to realise undesirable processes in Latvia. Chief of the SP Janis Reiniks named an NGO “Patrioti.lv” as one of such organisation trough which Russia attempts to consolidate Russian speakers in Latvia and to widen its informative space. Leader of “Patrioti.lv” Aleksejs Hohlovs, in his turn, stated that such allegation is absurd because the NGO realises not Russia’s but Latvia’s interests on consolidation of residents of various ethnic affiliation and society integration.

According to the annual report of the Security Police, various extremists actively use Internet for propaganda of their views, incitement to ethnic hatred and for recruiting of new members. The SP also considers that there are particular forces working trough youth organisations which politicize various educational and cultural events with an aim to realise undesirable processes in Latvia. Chief of the SP Janis Reiniks named an NGO Patrioti.lv as one of such organisation trough which Russia attempts to consolidate Russian speakers in Latvia and to widen its informative space. Leader of Patrioti.lv Aleksejs Hohlovs, in his turn, stated that such allegation is absurd because the NGO realises not Russias but Latvias interests on consolidation of residents of various ethnic affiliation and society integration. Vesti Segodnya

Nationalistic party “All for Latvia!” calls Latvian residents to ignore 9 May or Victory’s Day events. “All for Latvia!” considers that residents should commemorate victims of WWII on official commemoration day on 8 May. “All for Latvia!” also cancelled its protest action on 9 May near the Monument to Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders.

Nationalistic party All for Latvia! calls Latvian residents to ignore 9 May or Victorys Day events. All for Latvia! considers that residents should commemorate victims of WWII on official commemoration day on 8 May. All for Latvia! also cancelled its protest action on 9 May near the Monument to Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders. Latvijas Avize