DISINFO: Lithuania counters the “migration aggression” with violence, murders and bullets
SUMMARY
Belarus unsuccessfully tries to draw the attention of the international community to violations of human rights in Lithuania. In the West, they do not pay attention to the inhumane conditions in the migrant camps, the Iraqi citizen beaten to death and the surviving refugees, who return to Belarus bleeding, bearing traces of dog's teeth and bullet holes.
In this way, Lithuania has learned how to successfully counter the "migration aggression".
RESPONSE
Disinformation about Lithuania in the context of the migration crisis organised by the Belarus regime on the border to Lithuania.
In 2021, Lithuania faced an influx of irregular migrants from Belarus (most are citizens of third countries: Syria, Iraq, African countries etc.). Earlier, Belarus ended cooperation with the EU to stem illegal migration. This was Minsk's answer to the European Union sanctions on the political regime of Belarus (read more about sanctions here).
On 2 July 2021, Lithuania declared a state of emergency due to the migration crisis. During the first seven months of 2021, 1400 irregular migrants tried to enter Lithuania from Belarus to Lithuania. This is 17 times more than during all of 2020. Lithuania officially linked the influx of irregular migrants to the actions of the Belarusian authorities. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis, noted: “Lukashenko seeks to weaponise migration to weaken our resolve for sanctions”.
It is known that most of the irregular migrants arrive in Belarus by commercial flights from Baghdad-Minsk. Information also suggests that migrants are regularly transported by bus to the Belarusian-Lithuanian border. Such traffic can not take place in Belarus without the agreement of the Belarus authorities.
EU Commissioner Johansson have said: "The state-run instrumentalisation of migrants is another worrying example of Lukashenko’s blatant disregard of international norms. People and air routes are being ‘sourced’ by the regime and imported to Belarus."
The asylum requests of irregular migrants are processed case by case according to Lithuanian laws and international treaties. Lithuania will not leave migrants in tents during winter. They will be moved to buildings with central heating and all amenities.
Lithuania takes care of vulnerable migrants and children partnering with the Lithuanian Red Cross including in providing training to officials. In July 2021, Lithuanian authorities took to hospital several minors who had crossed the border with their parents. According to their testimony, the children were given psycho-active substances in Belarus by masked individuals who escorted them. The Lithuanian authorities treat seriously the cases of violence and abuse against the migrants staying in the Lithuanian refugee facilities.
Lithuanian authorities with the support of the European Union are working to ensure adequate conditions for the people, especially ahead of the upcoming colder months. Read more here about the EU support.
See other cases of disinformation linked to the ongoing migration crisis inspired by Lukashenka: The West plans to push thousands of illegal migrants to Belarus using force; There is no evidence that Belarus is responsible for the migrants' crisis in Lithuania and the EU applies double standards on migration issues to pressure Minsk.