Today, Lithuanian authorities announced that 910 Belarusians have been recognized as individuals who pose a threat to the country's national security. Kristina Rikhter, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Advisor on Legal Affairs, commented:
“The information released by the Migration Department of Lithuania has greatly disturbed both Belarusians living in this country and the democratic community. Most countries in the world have procedures for recognizing people as a threat to national security. This means that, essentially, the government can issue such a decision based on the information it possesses. It may have different implications, including a demand to leave the Republic of Lithuania. This does not necessarily mean a person must return to Belarus. They can move to any other country.
Clearly, each specific case must be addressed individually. And if a person considers the decision groundless or illegal, they have the right to appeal by due process of law. Including judicially. We know cases when Lithuanian courts canceled decisions on recognizing Belarusians staying in Lithuania as a threat to national security. Therefore, the only recommendation that can be given in this situation is to seek legal assistance from Lithuanian lawyers and appeal the decision. On our part, we will raise this issue within the working group at the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry. We hope the situation on this issue will be clarified soon, and that Belarusians in Lithuania will not have to worry about their future.”
