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.

• Article on proposals encouraging the return of Latvian emigrants
• The Constitutional Court terminated proceedings on the case of double citizenship
• Russian-language newspapers report on the planned closure of Russian-language class and Russian-language school

Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Society integration has elaborated proposals encouraging the return of Latvian emigrants. Among other, the proposals stipulate the granting of double citizenship to the children of Latvian citizens who are born abroad. The ministry also proposes to evaluate a possibility to grant double citizenship to the spouses of Latvian citizens.

Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Society integration has elaborated proposals encouraging the return of Latvian emigrants. Among other, the proposals stipulate the granting of double citizenship to the children of Latvian citizens who are born abroad. The ministry also proposes to evaluate a possibility to grant double citizenship to the spouses of Latvian citizens. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia decided to terminate the proceedings on the case of double citizenship. The claim was submitted by Marks Locovs, a citizen of Israel and Latvia, and his wife Diana Locova. Their daughter was not registered as a citizen of Latvia. The claimants contested that Item 2 of the First Paragraph of Article 3 and the First Paragraph of Article 9 of the Citizenship Law do not comply with the principles of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the Article 91 of the Constitution. Item 2 of the First Paragraph of Article 3 of the Citizenship Law determines that a child born outside of Latvia shall be recognised as a citizen of Latvia if the parent with whom the child lives was permanently residing in Latvia on the day of the child’s birth, while the First Paragraph of Article 9 of the Law determines that the granting of Latvia citizenship to a person shall not lead to dual citizenship. The Constitutional Court decided that the contested norms were not applicable to their case and therefore their fundamental rights were not violated. The Constitutional Court decision is final and cannot be appealed.

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia decided to terminate the proceedings on the case of double citizenship. The claim was submitted by Marks Locovs, a citizen of Israel and Latvia, and his wife Diana Locova. Their daughter was not registered as a citizen of Latvia. The claimants contested that Item 2 of the First Paragraph of Article 3 and the First Paragraph of Article 9 of the Citizenship Law do not comply with the principles of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the Article 91 of the Constitution. Item 2 of the First Paragraph of Article 3 of the Citizenship Law determines that a child born outside of Latvia shall be recognised as a citizen of Latvia if the parent with whom the child lives was permanently residing in Latvia on the day of the childs birth, while the First Paragraph of Article 9 of the Law determines that the granting of Latvia citizenship to a person shall not lead to dual citizenship. The Constitutional Court decided that the contested norms were not applicable to their case and therefore their fundamental rights were not violated. The Constitutional Court decision is final and cannot be appealed. Latvijas Avize

Russian-language newspapers report on the planned closure of Russian-language class and Russian-language school.

Russian-language newspapers report on the planned closure of Russian-language class and Russian-language school. Vesti Segodnya informs that first grade for Russian-speaking students of the only Lielvarde two-stream school will not be opened due to the lack of students. According to the newspaper, there is no Russian-language kindergarten in this town, hence most of the parents of Russian-speaking children bring their children to Latvian-language kindergarten and afterwards also to the Latvian-language schools. The newspaper also features a story about the Russian family living in Lielvarde, who have to bring their children to the near town to provide them an education in their native language. At the same time Chas informs about the liquidation of the Russian-language Secondary School Nr.17 in Riga allegedly also due to prolonged inability to gather first grade in it. Vesti Segodnya, Chas