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

Press Report

The

The Saeima Committee on Human Rights will request the Saeima to consider the Law on Refugees this Thursday. Still, the Committee on Foreign Affairs does not support the adoption of the Law. The opinion is shared by several deputies who believe that Latvia is not ready to accede to the Geneva Convention on Refugees. Most of the objections are connected with financial problems to be faced by the country in case the Law is adopted. Diena

The Immigration Police reached an agreement with the Russian Embassy on Parfenova's case. Head of the Consular Department of the Embassy Alexander Rylov had a meeting with representatives of the Immigration Police and received proofs of the correctness of their decision to expel Parfenova from Latvia. According to Head of the Immigration Police Aivars Kurpnieks, the Council had no objections to the decision itself and he only asked to inform the Embassy of similar cases in advance. Both sides agreed that the Russian Embassy would be informed about all Russian citizens to be expelled from Latvia. Natalya Parfenova agreed to leave for St. Petersburg. According to

The Immigration Police reached an agreement with the Russian Embassy on Parfenova's case. Head of the Consular Department of the Embassy Alexander Rylov had a meeting with representatives of the Immigration Police and received proofs of the correctness of their decision to expel Parfenova from Latvia. According to Head of the Immigration Police Aivars Kurpnieks, the Council had no objections to the decision itself and he only asked to inform the Embassy of similar cases in advance. Both sides agreed that the Russian Embassy would be informed about all Russian citizens to be expelled from Latvia. Natalya Parfenova agreed to leave for St. Petersburg. According to "DIENA", 1,400 individuals were expelled from Latvia in 1995 and 1996. 90% of them arrived to Latvia from Russia. Diena

The aim of the visit of the Russian Parliamentary Delegation to Latvia is to make Latvia observe international recommendations on non-citizens. Head of the Delegation Mikhail Vakulenko (Zhirinovsky's Liberal Democratic Party) told the press that the Russian side believed that Latvia should take into consideration recommendations by van der Stoel, van der Broek and Ole Espersen on the rights of non-Latvians. According to

The aim of the visit of the Russian Parliamentary Delegation to Latvia is to make Latvia observe international recommendations on non-citizens. Head of the Delegation Mikhail Vakulenko (Zhirinovsky's Liberal Democratic Party) told the press that the Russian side believed that Latvia should take into consideration recommendations by van der Stoel, van der Broek and Ole Espersen on the rights of non-Latvians. According to Saeima Speaker Cepanis, 95% of the agenda was focused on the Russian-speakers' situation in Latvia. Although the Latvian side recognized the existence of only seven differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens, the Russian side referred to fifty such differences. He told the press that the Russian side could introduce economic sanctions should Latvia ignore its demands related to the rights of Russian-speakers. Mr. Cepanis believes that the human rights issue is used by Russia as a political tool to press on Latvia. Members of the Russian Delegation stressed that all factions of the State Duma irrespective of their political orientation were concerned about the rights of Russian-speakers in Latvia.Diena, Neatkariga

According to the CID, 1,300 new alien passports have been issued while 6,000 applications for new passports have been submitted. Head of the CID Passport Division Dzintra Peneze says that some applicants ask to suspend the issuance of their passports. They are disappointed by Russia's refusal to recognize the new alien passports. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the new passports contradict the UN Convention of the Reduction of Statelessness. According to sources in the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian side explained that it needed more time to study all possible consequences of recognizing the alien passports. The new passports have been already recognized by twenty-two countries. Former USSR passports are valid for leaving Latvia until January 1, 1998, and their holders will be allowed to enter Latvia until July 1, 1998. Still, young non-citizens reaching sixteen years of age and having no other option except taking the new passports are deprived of the possibility to travel to Russia.

According to the CID, 1,300 new alien passports have been issued while 6,000 applications for new passports have been submitted. Head of the CID Passport Division Dzintra Peneze says that some applicants ask to suspend the issuance of their passports. They are disappointed by Russia's refusal to recognize the new alien passports. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the new passports contradict the UN Convention of the Reduction of Statelessness. According to sources in the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian side explained that it needed more time to study all possible consequences of recognizing the alien passports. The new passports have been already recognized by twenty-two countries. Former USSR passports are valid for leaving Latvia until January 1, 1998, and their holders will be allowed to enter Latvia until July 1, 1998. Still, young non-citizens reaching sixteen years of age and having no other option except taking the new passports are deprived of the possibility to travel to Russia. Diena