If migrants staying on the Latvian-Belarusian border voice the desire to voluntarily return to their country of origin, Latvian authorities together with the International Organization for Migration will provide assistance, said Chief of Latvia’s State Border Guard Guntis Pujāts in an interview to LTV programme Rīta panorāma.
He reported that so far 22 migrants have left Latvia without any problems this way. Another three will be sent away in the next couple of days once all the relevant paperwork has been properly filed. Most of these people are sent back to Iraq.
Pujāts also said that a couple of days ago an Iraqi family with a small child suffering from high body temperature was allowed to pass into Latvia from Belarus. This family was allowed to enter Latvia due to humanitarian reasons. However, this family will be sent back to Iraq soon enough, said the chief of the border guard.
He added there are no minors remaining at the Latvian-Belarusian border at the moment.
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As previously reported, the situation on the Belarusian border has escalated recently. Latvia, Lithuania and Poland all face increased attempts by illegal migrants to Belarus to enter the EU. Belarusian authorities are suspected of marching migrants to the border and organising the influx of illegal immigrants to the EU. It is considered an element of a hybrid attack on Europe.
At the meeting of the UN Security Council delegates from USA and Europe condemned Belarus for causing the migrant crisis on the border with Poland.
Latvia sends 22 illegal border crossers back to their country of origin
