In recent years, migration policy has become one of the most important issues both in Lithuania and across Europe. In the context of war, political persecution, climate and other crises, Lithuania, located at the external border of the European Union, is facing new challenges that require quick, effective and humane solutions. After extensive research and analysis of the current situation we have identified the main shortcomings of migration policy and practice in Lithuania and formulated recommendations that can help improve the situation.
Strategic level recommendations
The proposals call on the authorities to find solutions that protect the rights of irregular migrants and asylum seekers and address the national and regional challenges of irregular migration. We call for the development of an EU-wide solidarity mechanism, the investment of resources in the development of preventive mechanisms and alternatives to detention, such as the community assessment and placement model, and the development of family reunification programmes, instead of the current practice of detention of migrants.
We recommend to develop a system of support and assistance, case management, personalised legal assistance, cultural integration opportunities and language training, as well as regular migration opportunities such as bilateral mobility, sponsorship, “green card” type programmes. Finally, we recommend to humanise the security narrative by changing the term to ‘irregular migrants’ and to set up an independent border monitoring mechanism, giving international and non-governmental organisations access to the border area.
Legislative and policy level recommendations
Since 2021, Lithuania has implemented significant changes in the regulation of the rights of migrants and asylum seekers, which have been criticised by the Court of Justice of the EU and the United Nations, and some of which have been found by the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania to be contrary to the Constitution of Lithuania.
In order to ensure the protection of the rights of irregular migrants and asylum seekers, we recommend that the legalisation and practice of pushing back migrants at the Lithuanian-Belarusian border and the collective expulsion of irregular migrants who have entered the territory of Lithuania, which is prohibited under international law, be abandoned. Also, all applicants for international protection should be given the opportunity to submit their asylum application to competent authorities as soon as possible, irrespective of the location of the border crossing. We recommend that the use of deterrent actions or psychological coercion by state border guards be stopped, as well as the practice of mass restrictions on the freedom of movement of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and that individual assessments of detention be carried out and that detention only be used when it is established that no lesser measures are possible. It is also important that decisions on the removals of irregular border crossers from the territory of the Republic of Lithuania should not be taken by officers of the State Border Guard Service, but only by the Migration Department, the authority with competence in the area of vulnerability assessment.
Recommendations for improving accommodation conditions for migrants
As the living conditions in Lithuanian refugee reception centres and foreigners’ registration centres differ considerably, the aim of these recommendations is to help address the challenges and improve the living conditions and accessibility of services for migrants and asylum-seekers in foreigners’ registration centres and refugee reception centres.
We recommend ensuring decent and health-compliant living conditions in Foreigner Registration Centres and Refugee Reception Centres: a constant supply of hot and clean water, lighting, adequate clothing, tools and furniture, regularity and quality of cleaning of the building, privacy of persons and adequate space per person, and quality of food: the provision of fresh and fit-for-eating food, the standardisation of the timetable for the provision of food, the consideration of religious and cultural norms, the provision of heating or preparation facilities for the provision of food, the provision of the necessary cooking equipment in the centres, and the provision of sufficient financial support for the purchase of the food.
It is important to ensure the prevention of violence, violent expressions, harsh or degrading treatment and threats against migrants and asylum seekers by officials, to provide training for officials and staff, and to carry out independent investigations. Another important measure is to offer migrants meaningful employment, Lithuanian language courses, the opportunity to attend religious services, access to books in different languages and group activities, access to unlimited free high-quality internet, and the possibility to celebrate cultural events in groups.
It is also important to ensure regular and easily accessible health services, confidential translation services and access to information about health services. Finally, it is essential to ensure that migrants have access to information about their status and the asylum procedure, together with state-guaranteed legal aid and translation services.
Recommendations for the provision of mental health services
Migrants and asylum seekers in Lithuania face a number of stressors: uncertainty about asylum, experiences of irregular border crossings and/or detention, discrimination. These potentially traumatic experiences increase the risk of mental health problems.
In response to these challenges, we recommend ensuring the availability of mental health services for migrants and asylum seekers, systematic information, opportunities for ongoing counselling, appropriate training for mental health and social service providers to work with migrants and asylum seekers, taking into account their traumatic experiences and cultural context, and ensuring that physical health and mental health professionals work together to help migrants and asylum seekers recover. It is important that all those working with migrants and asylum seekers understand the risks of mental health problems for this group, are able to provide emotional support/psychological first aid and referral to mental health professionals.
Recommendations to promote socio-economic inclusion
Ensuring the socio-economic inclusion of irregular migrants, asylum seekers and refugees helps not only the migrants themselves, but also the economy of the country, prevents the emergence of high levels of exclusion and ensures social cohesion.
To this end, we recommend active evidence-based public communication on migration about the long-term socio-economic benefits of migration and international cooperation, the dissemination of information in different languages about the rights and opportunities available to migrants in Lithuania, the development of education programmes for migrant children, the quality and availability of language courses and skills development programmes for migrants, and the strengthening of reception infrastructure and programmes for migrants through the development of effective and sustainable measures that incorporate humanitarian assistance, socio-economic inclusion, humane treatment of migrants and asylum seekers and long-term support, ensuring that all irregular migrants, asylum seekers and refugees have access to quality and timely health care, providing access to social housing and social assistance programmes, developing social programmes to increase migrants’ participation in the local community, granting work permits and ensuring the administrative conditions for employment and opening a bank account.
In the education system, it is important to increase the focus on the involvement of educators and children in the process of migrant integration, and to broaden the current definition of migrant family members to include not only formally married or civilly united third-country nationals, but also partners who are unwilling or unable to formalise their relationship, in the right to family reunification. Such a change would contribute to a more humane migration system and reduce the desire to enter the country through irregular channels.
To summarise
Lithuania has a huge opportunity to become an example of how to reconcile migration management with the protection of human rights and successful inclusion. If implemented responsibly, the recommendations can not only improve the situation of migrants, but also contribute to the country’s long-term economic and social well-being. These recommendations aim to establish a humane, fair and effective migration management system in line with international human rights standards and international asylum law.
For full recommendations, click here:
Strategic level recommendations for improving Lithuania’s migration policy
Legislative and policy level recommendations for improving Lithuania’s migration policy
Recommendations for improving the living conditions of irregular migrants in Lithuania
Recommendations for improving mental health services for irregular migrants in Lithuania
Recommendations for promoting socio-economic inclusion of migrants in Lithuania
