Another 60 specialists from the European Union (EU) border agency Frontex have arrived in Lithuania to help Lithuania control the flow of migrants from Belarus. The EU has called the use of migrants for political purposes unacceptable, threatening to impose new sanctions on Minsk, but at the same time promising to help Vilnius by sending migrants to their countries of origin. Migrants themselves in Lithuania complain about unacceptable living conditions.
IN SHORT:
- At least 100 migrants crossing the state border with Belarus are detained in Lithuania every day.
- In total, more than 3,400 people have been detained this year.
- These people want to get to Western European countries through Lithuania.
- Lithuania blames Belarus for facilitating migration.
- EU border specialists are helping Lithuania to deal with illegal migrants.
- They help people sent to their countries.
Another 60 Frontex specialists will help Lithuania control the flow of migrantsUģis Lībietis
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Since the beginning of the year, more than 3,100 migrants have tried to enter Lithuania illegally across the Belarusian border. That’s about 40 times more than last year combined.
To help Lithuania overcome this crisis, another 60 officers from the European Union’s border agency Frontex have arrived in the country. As a result, the number of Frontex officers has reached one hundred. Also, 30 patrol cars and two helicopters were sent to Lithuania.
Until now, the detained migrants have been accommodated in the Rūdninkai Migrant Residence Center. Many migrants have complained about cold and dirty water, the lack of sleeping bags and poor food quality.
The Lithuanian Ministry of the Interior acknowledged that there were still problems in settling the settlement, but they were being worked on.
Protests had also erupted near the Rūdninki settlement, with some residents felling trees and trying to block access to the camp. Residents claim that the authorities are lying about their true intentions.
At the same time, local authorities are reporting new cyber-attacks on their websites and misinformation that similar refugee settlements are planned in other areas. Officials believe the aim is to create confusion and anxiety among the population. Cyber security experts have pointed out that
the disinformation campaign is very active and the methods used are almost the same as during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The possible involvement of neither Russia nor Belarus is ruled out. Information is disseminated through various channels, making it difficult for citizens to track it.
The use of migrants for political purposes has also been condemned these days by the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Joseph Borrell. According to him, what is happening now is tantamount to human trafficking, and it is clearly in violation of European values and fundamental principles. That is why
The European Union is ready to impose sanctions on those responsible.
Earlier, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabriel Landsberg promised that if Minsk began to control the flow of migrants, such sanctions would be lifted. According to Joseph Borrell, one of the main priorities is to ensure that those who will not have the right to stay in the European Union are taken to their countries of origin.
For its part, the European Commission had also approached the Iraqi authorities to clarify allegations that an illegal flow of people to Belarus was already taking place in Iraq. As stated by the Iraqi National Security Advisory Council, there is no evidence that Iraqi National Airport is involved in facilitating this migration. At the same time, it is acknowledged that some Iraqis are involved in this criminal scheme.
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