Emergency in migrant camps: 95% still have telephones, NGOs continue to operate

Concerns about migrants’ rights

According to the decision of the Seimas, the state of emergency introduced for the first time in the history of Lithuania came into force on November 10 at the border with Belarus and in five settlements for migrants.

The introduction of a state of emergency in the border area and another five kilometers from it in the inland area imposes bans on those entering and traveling within the country. There are also various additional restrictions and powers for officials.

The resolution also provides for the possibility, by the decision of the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) officials, to restrict the right of migrants to “correspond, make telephone conversations and otherwise communicate using mobile and Internet access, if necessary restricting the use of means of communication”.

An exception is provided for applying to Lithuanian institutions or bodies.

It is these restrictions that have raised fears that the state of emergency will restrict migrants’ already limited rights and deprive them of contact with the outside world, relatives, lawyers or non-governmental organizations.

Five percent of migrants do not have phones

However, according to R. Petrauskas, the Deputy Commander of the SBGS, although the state of emergency allows to take such measures, it has not been necessary to do so yet and the absolute majority of migrants continue to use mobile phones freely.

“It simply came to our notice then. Even if they don’t have a phone today, it’s probably only about five percent of the population in all centers. ” 15min said the official.

In total, slightly more than 2.5 thousand people live in the accommodation centers in Medininkai, Pabradė and Kybartai managed by the SBGS. migrants, so five percent of them would make up about 125 people.