2022 m. October 7 d.

In the debate Are there any alternatives to detention? the Head of the Seimas Ombudspersons’ Office advocated the development of a strategy and the adoption of new political decisions regarding refugees

“In response to instrumentalized migration last year and until this summer, the answer to the question ‘detention or alternatives?’ was unequivocal – detention.” Public expectations and, accordingly, political will were focused on deterrence. Since it is difficult to apply effective measures against the Belarusian regime that instrumentalises migration, the measures were aimed at persons crossing the Belarusian-Lithuanian border. These persons are seen as allies of the hostile regime and are automatically detained in aggravated conditions, leaving no room for an individualized approach,” emphasized the Seimas Ombudsperson Erika Leonaitė in a discussion organized by the Committee on Human Rights of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the World Health Organization and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The discussion presented international and the EU standards on the detention of asylum seekers, as well as health challenges of migration detention, detention practices and challenges faced by Lithuania. According to the Seimas Ombudsperson, the goals pursued by detention were hardly achieved, since detention could not last for the indefinite period – in the end, most of the persons still left Lithuania. Moreover, the research conducted by the Council of Europe does not confirm the fact that the application of detention effectively deters illegal border crossing.

“The time has come to look for alternatives to applied detention of persons. That requires new decisions at the political level, as well as a new strategy since the long-term detention used so far is not compatible with international obligations. In order to improve the situation, it is necessary to look for alternatives, such as housing asylum seekers in communities, involving the help of non-governmental organizations, among those fighting human trafficking and sexual exploitation, etc. For this purpose, it is important to carry out immediate identification of vulnerable groups: children, elderly persons, people with disabilities, pregnant and nursing women, as well as to take measures to identify possible victims of human trafficking and persons who have experienced torture and other intense violence as soon as possible. Faced with increased flows of irregular migration, alternatives must first be sought for these persons, and children should not be detained at all according to international standards. I hope that in the future the answer to the question “detention or alternatives?” will not arise as priority will always be given to alternatives”, summed up the Head of the Seimas Ombudspersons’ Office.

 

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