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.

• First ethnic discrimination case in Latvia
• Saeima adopted the Law on Granting the Status of the EU Permanent Resident
• Saeima refused the draft amendments to the Immigration Law elaborated by FF/LNIM
• Administrative Regional Court repeatedly asked the Ministry of Interior to clarify its decision on the expulsion of Aleksandr Kazakov from Latvia
• 110.000 persons have been granted Latvian citizenship since the beginning of naturalisation in 1995

Yesterday, the Jelgava Administrative Court issued the ruling in the first ever case on discrimination on ethnic grounds. A Romani woman sued an employer for refusal to hire her allegedly because of her ethnicity. The Court ruled in favour of the plaintiff and fined an enterprise PALSO with LVL 1,000 (EUR 1,422). The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone commented that it is a very essential development which may have serious impact on the situation of all Roma in Latvia.

Yesterday, the Jelgava Administrative Court issued the ruling in the first ever case on discrimination on ethnic grounds. A Romani woman sued an employer for refusal to hire her allegedly because of her ethnicity. The Court ruled in favour of the plaintiff and fined an enterprise PALSO with LVL 1,000 (EUR 1,422). The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone commented that it is a very essential development which may have serious impact on the situation of all Roma in Latvia. Chas, Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, NRA

Yesterday, the Saeima adopted the Law on Granting the Status of the EU Permanent Resident status. The Law provides that applicants for the status have to demonstrate Latvian language skills and pay the state fee. The party “Concord Centre,” which proposed to grant the status of the EU permanent resident to Latvian non-citizens through registration, is planning to appeal with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga not to proclaim the Law.

Yesterday, the Saeima adopted the Law on Granting the Status of the EU Permanent Resident status. The Law provides that applicants for the status have to demonstrate Latvian language skills and pay the state fee. The party Concord Centre, which proposed to grant the status of the EU permanent resident to Latvian non-citizens through registration, is planning to appeal with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga not to proclaim the Law. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday, the Saeima refused the draft amendments to the Repatriation and Immigration Law elaborated by the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM. As reported, the FF/LNIM proposed to encourage repatriation of Latvians currently residing in foreign countries, at the same time promote voluntary deportation of persons who are “disloyal” towards the state.

Yesterday, the Saeima refused the draft amendments to the Repatriation and Immigration Law elaborated by the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM. As reported, the FF/LNIM proposed to encourage repatriation of Latvians currently residing in foreign countries, at the same time promote voluntary deportation of persons who are disloyal towards the state. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The Administrative Regional Court repeatedly asked the Ministry of Interior to clarify the decision on the expulsion of Aleksandr Kazakov from Latvia.  As reported, in September of 2004, the Ministry of Interior took the decision to expel the activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools in Latvia Aleksandr Kazakov from Latvia and to include him in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia. However, in February 2006 the Supreme Court Senate abolished the decision. Aleksandr Kazakov asked the Ministry of Interior to explain and specify its arguments on the decision of his expulsion.

The Administrative Regional Court repeatedly asked the Ministry of Interior to clarify the decision on the expulsion of Aleksandr Kazakov from Latvia. As reported, in September of 2004, the Ministry of Interior took the decision to expel the activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools in Latvia Aleksandr Kazakov from Latvia and to include him in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia. However, in February 2006 the Supreme Court Senate abolished the decision. Aleksandr Kazakov asked the Ministry of Interior to explain and specify its arguments on the decision of his expulsion. Latvijas Avize

110.000 persons were granted Latvian citizenship through naturalisation since the procedure was launched in 1995.

110.000 persons were granted Latvian citizenship through naturalisation since the procedure was launched in 1995. Diena