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.

• Saeima supported draft amendments to the Citizenship Law in the second reading
• Dr.iur. Janis Pleps: serious revision of the circle of citizens would essentially change the identity of the state
• Young people elaborated recommendations for society integration and civil participation
• Ombudsman Juris Jansons presented the Annual report 2011
• Telegraf publishes EGAM’s call “For the Dignity of Roma in Europe: Roma Pride”

Yesterday, the Saeima supported draft amendments to the Citizenship Law in the second reading. The Saeima did not support any of the proposals by the oppositional party Concord Centre who among other proposed to allow dual citizenship not only with the western countries but with all countries including Russia. During the debates, MPs of the governing parties argued that it is risky to allow dual citizenship with Russia because in case of military conflict these persons might fight on the side of Russia against Latvian allies. Thus, the Saeima supported that dual citizenship can be granted or retained by Latvian citizens who received also the citizenship of EU, EFTA, or NATO Member States. Latvian citizenship can also be granted to Latvian exiles and their descendants who left Latvia as refugees or were deported during the Soviet and Nazi occupation and did not return to Latvia for permanent residence. The draft amendments stipulate the granting of Latvian citizenship to children one of whose parents is Latvian citizen regardless of the child’s country of birth. The amendments foresee that children of non-citizens born after 21 August 1991 [but no retroactively] can be registered as Latvian citizens if one of the parents expresses their will for it and vows to help the child learn the Latvian language and instil respect and loyalty towards the state. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena

Chas interviews Dr.iur. Janis Pleps about the draft law on granting Latvian citizenship to non-citizens and its evaluation by the Central Election Committee. According to Mr. Pleps, the Constitution of Latvia says that a draft law initiated by citizens should be completely developed. It means the content of the draft law should completely comply with the Constitution and international obligations of the country. Thus, the draft law on non-citizens could be evaluated on whether expanding community of citizens complies with the doctrine of continuity of Latvian state which set in the Article 2 of the Constitution and the Declaration on Restoration of Latvian Independence. Mr Pleps believes that serious revision of the citizenry would essentially change the identity of the state.

Latvijas Avize reports about a project on structural dialogue initiated by the EU and implemented in Latvia by the Latvian Youth Council (LYC). The aim of discussions and surveys held during the project was to improve unity between ethnic Latvian and ethnic minority young people and promote their participation in civil processes. According to the discussions, ethnic Latvian and ethnic minority young people are equally civically inactive but integration could be improved if youth organisations would try to involve especially ethnic minorities in various discussions. Young people also acknowledged that education system does not create productive integration environment, mentioning lack of common approach to history learning and interpretation by teachers. By the results of the discussion, the young people elaborated recommendations to the state and EU institutions.

The Ombudsman Juris Jansons presented to the Saeima the Annual report on the Ombudsman’s Office’s activities and human rights in Latvia in 2011. According to the report, the Ombudsman provided 13 expert opinions about hate speech in the Internet comments and concluded the comments incite hatred towards Russians, Arabs, Roma and also ethnic Latvians. As a solution for reduction of the hate speech in the Internet comments, the Ombudsman proposed to allow commenting only for persons who indicated their real identity; to publish court decisions on criminal violations in the Internet; to educate police officers; and to forbid comments about certain issues at all. Latvijas Avize

Telegraf publishes a call of the European Grassroots Antiracists Movement - EGAM “For the Dignity of Roma in Europe: Roma Pride.” The EGAM announces Roma Pride on the 7 October 2012 in many European countries and calls to join it everyone irrespective of ethnic belonging in order to promote provision of equal rights to Roma people in all countries.