Linas Jegelevičius for BNN
The construction of a fence consisting of raze wire and stretching approximately 502 kilometres along Lithuania’s border with Belarus has been completed, EPSO–G, Lithuania’s state–owned energy group responsible for the project, has announced.
Although the Lithuanian authorities praised the landmark accomplishment, which is believed to significantly enhance security of the border, it comes amid a new surge of undocumented migrants at it.
VSAT, Lithuania’s Border Protection Service, told BNN that, lately, the numbers of migrants have edged upward starkly. Over Wednesday, 31 August, border guards deterred 123 migrants attempting to cross into the country from Belarus illegally, VSAT said on Thursday, 1 September.
The largest number of migrants so far was recorded last Saturday, 27 August, when border guards turned away 125 persons.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė praised the project’s completion and admitted it was «technically impossible» to erect physical barriers along the entire frontier, which crosses lakes, rivers and swamps.
Lithuania’s harsh migrant policy has led to accusations that it is carrying out illegal pushbacks.
The PM acknowledged it is a «challenge» (for Lithuania) to follow international law on irregular migrants, saying her country has «lots of work to do».
Laurynas Kasčiūnas, a Conservative MP and head of the influential parliamentary committee on national security and defence, said this on the announcement: «Indeed, we clearly see a new wave (of undocumented migrants), one with the participation of Russia. The majority of the people have arrived here through Russia…In fact, some of them are trying to cross the border multiple times, but they fail. The benefit of the barrier is undeniable,» he insisted though.
In total, more than 13 600 of them have not been admitted from Belarus to Lithuania since 3 August of last year, when VSAT was entitled to turn illegal migrants away, it said. Last year, almost 4 200 people arrived illegally from Belarus to Lithuania.
However, far from all are happy with the barrier. Some say it can trigger a direct gunfire–involving exchange between Lithuanian and Belarusian border patrols, others point out that the barrier can be tampered, while environmentalists caution that the hindrance can trap, hurt and kill animals and birds.
Remigijus Žemaitaitis, an opposition parliamentarian, says no border barrier is impenetrable unless it is like the China Wall.
«You can fly over it, you can dig underneath. Look, North Korea has built a massive border wall, yet still we hear that some just overcome it…If we see the efficiency of the Lithuanian barrier at just, say, around 30% it will be a very good result…Unfortunately, the ruling party [Conservatives, officially the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats, HU–LCD] use the emergency to cover its inefficiency and deficiencies,» he told BNN.
As reported by BNN, there have been at least several hints by PM Šimonytė of necessity to shake up the Cabinet, but the premier has never followed up on the intent, citing the contingencies – the migrant influx and war in Ukraine.
Besides, the opposition MP notes that the border barrier will likely turn into a silent killer of birds and animals.
«I think it is just a matter of time when all the environmental NGOs will start clamouring, but for many birds and animals it will be just too late,» the lawmaker noted.
He says that the ruling Conservatives first chastised Hungary fiercely for building its own wall and now has built its own.
An attempt to tamper the barrier on the border has already drawn attention of the country’s President’s office.
Kestutis Budrys, the Lithuanian president’s senior adviser on national security affairs, has slammed tampering of the fence by Belarus’ officers as provocations.
«One thing is to lead migrants to the border and push them, but tampering with the physical barrier, which we see now, is a different thing,» he told the Žinių Radijas news radio on Tuesday, 30 August.
Budrys stressed that Lithuania found itself in «a very dangerous zone» due to such circumstances as Belarus’ officers were being sent to another country to tamper with physical assets and protective facilities.
«We find ourselves on a very thin verge and dangerous verge, how we will qualify such actions… These are provocations, at the very minimum,» he pointed out.
As a reminder, about two years ago, Vilnius decided to build the physical barrier in a bid to stave off irregular migration from the neighbouring country.
Yet Vilnius has received much criticism over its treatment of irregular migrants on the border and those admitted in the migrant detention facilities.
The international non–governmental organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has condemned this week Lithuania’s practices with regard to irregular migrants, saying they are subjected to «systemic discrimination» at foreigner registration centres.
According to the organisation, vulnerable migrants are held in prolonged detention in Lithuania and experience an alarming deterioration in their mental health.
According to MSF, Lithuania’s asylum practices and legal processes are flawed as they are further discriminating against certain nationalities.
As reported, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled earlier this year that Lithuania’s legislation that does not allow migrants to apply for asylum and gets them detained simply for entering the country irregularly runs counter to European directives.
Responding to recent criticism from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) over Lithuania’s treatment of irregular migrants, Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė says they are now allowed to leave their accommodation facilities and have access to basic services such as healthcare.