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

"PANORAMA LATVII"

analyzed a travel document status of passports currently held by inhabitants of the Republic of Latvia. A travel document valid for entering any country should expire not earlier than in two months after the date of expiration of an entry visa. Citizens of Latvia travel abroad holding citizens' passports. Their children traveling with them should have passports of their own. If citizens' children are accompanied by persons other than their parents, such persons should hold notarized warrants (in Russian or English) authorizing them to accompany the children. Persons, to whom the "Law on Former USSR Citizens who do not have Citizenship of Latvia or of Another State" ("non-citizens") applies, can travel holding the following documents: 1. Non-citizens' passports issued after April 10, 1997. Holders of these passports can enter Latvia after the passports have expired upon extending the term of the passports or upon receiving new travel documents as determined by Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No.49 "On Passports of Non-Citizens of Latvia" of Jan. 21, 1997. 2. Identification documents of the Republic of Latvia ("brown passports") issued between July 28, 1995, and April 10, 1997. The identification documents can be used before their expiration dates. 3. Former USSR travel passports issued by the Republic of Latvia and re-registered by the Latvian Ministry of the Interior. The passports are valid for leaving the territory of Latvia until January 1, 1998, and require return visas. The passports are valid for entering Latvia until July 1, 1998, and require return visas as determined by Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No.49 "On Passports of Non-Citizens of Latvia". 4. Former USSR internal passports with Register of Inhabitants stamps ("red passports"). The passports are valid for leaving the territory of Latvia until January 1, 1998, and for entering Latvia until July 1, 1998. Former USSR internal passports are valid only for travel to Russia, Byelorussia and Ukraine. Non-citizens under 16 years of age entering the Russian Federation should hold birth certificates, persons accompanying such children should hold notarized warrants issued by the children's parents and certificates with photos confirming that such non-citizens="" children permanently reside in Latvia. The certificates are issued by local CID offices. Citizens and non-citizens of the Republic of Latvia under 16 years of age traveling to countries other than the Russian Federation should receive special passports and their parents should provide the warrants mentioned above to be held by persons accompanying their children. analyzed a travel document status of passports currently held by inhabitants of the Republic of Latvia. A travel document valid for entering any country should expire not earlier than in two months after the date of expiration of an entry visa. Citizens of Latvia travel abroad holding citizens' passports. Their children traveling with them should have passports of their own. If citizens' children are accompanied by persons other than their parents, such persons should hold notarized warrants (in Russian or English) authorizing them to accompany the children. Persons, to whom the "Law on Former USSR Citizens who do not have Citizenship of Latvia or of Another State" ("non-citizens") applies, can travel holding the following documents: 1. Non-citizens' passports issued after April 10, 1997. Holders of these passports can enter Latvia after the passports have expired upon extending the term of the passports or upon receiving new travel documents as determined by Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No.49 "On Passports of Non-Citizens of Latvia" of Jan. 21, 1997. 2. Identification documents of the Republic of Latvia ("brown passports") issued between July 28, 1995, and April 10, 1997. The identification documents can be used before their expiration dates. 3. Former USSR travel passports issued by the Republic of Latvia and re-registered by the Latvian Ministry of the Interior. The passports are valid for leaving the territory of Latvia until January 1, 1998, and require return visas. The passports are valid for entering Latvia until July 1, 1998, and require return visas as determined by Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No.49 "On Passports of Non-Citizens of Latvia". 4. Former USSR internal passports with Register of Inhabitants stamps ("red passports"). The passports are valid for leaving the territory of Latvia until January 1, 1998, and for entering Latvia until July 1, 1998. Former USSR internal passports are valid only for travel to Russia, Byelorussia and Ukraine. Non-citizens under 16 years of age entering the Russian Federation should hold birth certificates, persons accompanying such children should hold notarized warrants issued by the children's parents and certificates with photos confirming that such non-citizens="" children permanently reside in Latvia. The certificates are issued by local CID offices. Citizens and non-citizens of the Republic of Latvia under 16 years of age traveling to countries other than the Russian Federation should receive special passports and their parents should provide the warrants mentioned above to be held by persons accompanying their children. PLPL