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According to Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, the government’s proposed amendments, which have been criticized by non-governmental agents and some lawyers for possible human rights violations, are necessary because Lithuania must first stop the crisis.
“It just came to our notice then. Because we really feel for our partners in the West that not everyone understands what Lithuania is facing, that this is not a normal migration crisis.
This is not what Greece, Italy or other countries are facing. We are experiencing a hybrid attack, an action organized by the Lukashenko regime against Lithuania and against the European Union. It is very important to say what it means, what measures are needed for that, ”said G. Landsbergis.
The Minister said that he did not rule out the possibility that Lithuania could receive some criticism from non-governmental organizations regarding possible human rights violations, but noted that Lithuania must first stop the crisis.
“These are not people fleeing war, plague and famine. Some of them are students who have studied in Belarus on long-term Belarusian visas. They were in completely safe condition, living in student dormitories. Now that they have lost their studies, they are sending them as a weapon against Lithuania. Today we have to repel the attack, “Landsbergis said.
The Minister said that the amendments that the Seimas members would try to adopt during the extraordinary session foresee changes in the legal basis, taking into account the change in the situation at the border.
“We have never been a state of first admission, we have never faced the kind of flows that we face now. Due to our legal basis, it was created for perhaps ideal circumstances: 40 people a year entering Lithuania. We are now facing a coordinated attack against Lithuania, which also requires legal changes, ”said G. Landsbergis.
In a one-day session on Tuesday, MPs plan to pass amendments that would shorten asylum procedures to ten days. The amendments proposed by the government would also restrict the free movement of migrants crossing the border illegally on the territory of Lithuania, they would restrict their other rights when an emergency situation is declared in the country due to the influx of migrants.
V.Čmilytė-Nielsen: some of the criticism is justified
For her part, Seimas spokeswoman Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen said an extraordinary session was needed in response to increased refugee flows.
“We have to consider, I hope, and pass amendments to the government’s legislation on the legal status of foreigners, which would shorten the deadlines for processing asylum applications.
Furthermore, it would offer the possibility to restrict certain rights of illegal refugees in cases where there is an emergency situation in Lithuania, an emergency situation, as it is now, ”said V. Čmilytė-Nielsen
Noting that the proposed amendments had received several criticisms from lawyers and non-governmental organizations regarding the risk to guarantee human rights, the president of Seimas stated that some of the criticisms were justified.
“We really know the criticism from non-governmental organizations, some of it is justified. I can only assure you that the Seimas will take intense actions of parliamentary control, constantly monitor the application of the adopted legal acts and, if necessary, convene another extraordinary session and adjust, adopt other legal acts if necessary, ”said V. Čmilytė-Nielsen .
The president of the Seimas declared that Lithuania is facing an unprecedented threat today, when migrants are used as a tool to pressure both Lithuania and the entire European Union (EU).
“Unfortunately, our enemies in this case, the hostile regimes, do not follow the rules, and we must find ways to respond to this threat, taking into account our obligations to the EU, as well as the interests of the Lithuanian people and state. Security” , stressed V. Čmilytė- Nielsen.
The president of Seimas pointed out that the Legal Department of Seimas, considering the amendments presented by him, does not see contradictions with the Constitution.
It only questions compliance with the doctrine of the Constitutional Court. And today, the Law and Order Committee of the Seimas, of course, will consider these laws, and perhaps make some adjustments ”, assured the parliamentarian.
Landsbergis goes to Ankara and Baghdad to negotiate on illegal immigrants
Foreign Minister Gabriel Landsbergis will travel to the Turkish and Iraqi capitals on Tuesday to discuss reducing and returning the flows of illegal immigrants.
“Today, just two hours away, I board a plane, fly to Ankara, fly to Baghdad from there, and the main challenges in both capitals are negotiating traffic reductions and return, especially in Iraq,” Landsberg told reporters at the Seimas.
He also added that representatives of the European Union could also join the delegation.
“Yesterday I spoke with the heads of the European institutions, with other countries, it is possible that the EU representatives will join our meetings in both capitals because, in my opinion, this is not only a problem in Lithuania, it is also the EU problem ”, said the minister.
“The other two countries, especially those to which immigrants intend to flee, agree that, in principle, we need to have very clear return mechanisms and we have to work with the EU to do so.” In my opinion, this is our main task today, ”he said.
According to him, the EU is currently considering lifting the Schengen visa regime for Iraq, but “it is not related to this crisis, it is just a decision that has matured.”
