Integration monitor
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.
Oct. 15, 2010
- The situation of Latvian non-citizens presented
Russian-language newspapers report about the situation of Latvian non-citizens, who emerged as a category of population after Latvian Parliament passed Resolution On the Renewal of the Rights of Citizens of the Republic of Latvia and Fundamental Principles of Naturalization on 15 October 1991. As of August 2010, there were 336,000 Latvian non-citizens, including 114,000 persons above the age of 60 and 17,000 persons born in Latvia after restoration of independence. According to the Latvian Human Rights Committee, there are currently 79 differences in rights of citizens and non-citizens of Latvia, including 16 cases when foreigners residing in Latvia enjoy greater rights than Latvian non-citizens. During 2009, the main patterns of reduction of the number of non-citizens in Latvia included death (39.1%), acquisition of Latvian citizenship (23.5%), emigration (18.9%), acquisition of foreign citizenship (18.4%). Naturalization rate continues to fall and only 908 non-citizens naturalized during the first six months of 2010. According to an MP Vladimirs Buzaevs (FHRUL), naturalization exams are tough and currently 64% of naturalization applicants fail the exams.
Chas, Telegraf, Vesti-Segodnya