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.

• UN reviewed human rights situation in Latvia

On 26 January, the UN Working Group on Universal Periodic Review (UPR) reviewed human rights situation in Latvia. In the framework of the session, Latvian government’s delegation pointed to Latvia’s achievements and developments regarding various human rights issues. The recommending states acknowledged the progress made by Latvia and highlighted, inter alia, the following developments: the Citizenship law amendments resulting in increasing number of non-citizens’ children registered as Latvian citizens; the progress on gender equality; reduced numbers of prisoners. The states have also made recommendations for improvement of the human rights situation. The largest number of states recommended Latvia to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). Other recommendations concerned promotion of naturalisation process with an objective to decrease the number of non-citizens; facilitation of integration and ensuring protection of the rights of national minorities, including Roma; promotion of tolerance towards various minority groups, including asylum seekers and Muslims. Several recommendations concerned the LGBT persons’ rights, such as explicit criminalisation of crimes committed on the grounds of sexual orientation. Latvia was recommended to take further steps to strengthen measures against domestic violence and ensuring gender equality. Some states also addressed integration and the rights of asylum seekers and refugees.

All the documents related to the Latvia’s UPR 2nd cycle are available:

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/LVSession24.aspx 

http://www.upr-info.org/en/review/Latvia/Session-24---January-2016/National-report#top