Lithuania to Introduce Limits on Return Journeys for Belarusian Migrants

The Lithuanian parliament is considering restricting return journeys for Belarusian migrants, with the authorities arguing that this could contribute to maintaining the national security.

Currently, Belarusians in Lithuania fly several times a year to visit their home country and if the proposals are supported, these people could lose their residence permits for trips to Belarus, Schengen.News reports. 

Although the data from the border guard service reveals that the number of Belarusians crossing the border is decreasing every year, Lithuanian politicians say that the security of the country is being compromised. 

Proposal to Restrict Travel for Belarusians in Lithuania Receives Criticism
While Lithuanian politicians are set to enhance efforts to improve national security, the Interior Ministry of Lithuania has criticised this proposal. According to the Interior Ministry, imposing such a rule would be an additional burden on government agencies. 

On the other hand, Vytis Jurkonis, a political analyst in Lithuania, has called on policymakers not to ignore complex individual cases, pointing out that these people must have family obligations and sick parents they need to visit. 

Another Belarusian national in Lithuania noted that these people come to work and travelling back to Belarus happens for business reasons or to visit their families. 

Lithuanian Political Analyst Says Restrictions Should Apply to All Those Compromising the Country’s Security
Jurkonis pointed out that the Belarusian border officials are collecting information about Belarusian nationals themselves. He also noted that it is not just Belarusian who are being targeted by intelligence services, but also Lithuanian nationals are also a target, as LRT reports.

According to Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, the Eastern Land border, which includes the border shared between Lithuania and Belarus, witnessed a six per cent increase in irregular border crossings in February. In total, 962 border crossings were recorded at this border. The majority of the nationalities entering the EU through this border were Ukranians, Russians and Sudanese. 

Source: https://schengen.news/lithuania-to-introduce-limits-on-return-journeys-for-belarusian-migrants/