On March 21, the Seimas of Lithuania in the first reading approved a draft law that prohibits citizens of Russia and Belarus from applying for citizenship, as well as buying real estate, in view of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's advisor on legal issues Kristina Rikhter explains what this means for the citizens of Belarus.
“The law does not change the visa restrictions against Belarusians that have already been enforced. Those restrictions were introduced in connection with the declared state of emergency. The humanitarian visas were issued under the patronage of Lithuania's Foreign Ministry, and the process of obtaining visas for people affected by political repression in Belarus will remain unchanged.
Citizens of Belarus who already have temporary residence permits, Lithuanian national visas, or Schengen visas issued by Lithuania, will remain eligible to apply for temporary residence permits. The law also restricts the acquisition of e-residency and e-signatures, and it is not yet clear whether those who already had residency will be eligible to renew it when it expires.
Saying that these restrictions do not comply with international human rights standards would be wrong. The law protects Lithuania's national security interests, and we understand the country's concerns.
We believe that the law should be targeting the people who, after coming to Lithuania, continue to cooperate with the Lukashenko regime financially or by sharing intelligence with its law enforcement agencies. And such concerns of the Lithuanian government are understandable. Belarusian democratic forces welcome Lithuania's efforts in this regard, as the threat of such people in the country's territory is clear. However, there are many people in the Republic of Lithuania who, after having fled to the country due to persecution, continue to resist the regime in Belarus”.
Unfortunately, the law also affects the people who have lived in Lithuania for more than 10 years, as the law suspends applications for Lithuanian citizenship. This provision applies to those who moved here before the events of 2020 and even before the annexation of Crimea, who have built their lives here, learned the language, got a job or started their business, and have been making a significant contribution to the economy of Lithuania. Companies such as FLO, Wargaming and EPAM have established their place among the top IT businesses in terms of taxes paid, with most of their employees being citizens of Belarus. Moreover, when applying for Lithuanian citizenship, applicants undergo strict controls, including from Lithuanian security services.
We are ready to work collaboratively with the Lithuanian government to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that restrictions do not affect the people who have clearly and unequivocally spoken out against Russian aggression in Ukraine and the anti-human policy of the Lukashenka regime. Upon Lithuania's request, we are willing to develop mechanisms for verification and other necessary support so that representatives of the Belarusian diaspora do not face unwarranted restrictions and do not feel insecure. The draft law creates significant difficulties for law-abiding and loyal citizens of Belarus in Lithuania, including those who have been residing in the Republic of Lithuania for a long time. We are monitoring the reaction of our diaspora to this bill and are aware of all the concerns that arise in Belarusian communities in Lithuania.
We believe that such restrictions must not be introduced against every holder of a Belarusian passport. Instead, they must be enforced against the people cooperating with the Lukashenka regime, without prejudice to people opposing the regime and the war in Ukraine”.
