Due to the recent intensification of hostile and provocative actions by the Belarusian authorities against Lithuanian citizens already present or temporarily arriving in the country, the Foreign Ministry has advised against travelling to Belarus. According to the Foreign Vice-Minister, Lithuanian citizens may be illegally detained on fictitious charges. Upon entry to Belarus, Lithuanian citizens are interviewed at border crossings, subjected to blackmail and psychological manipulation and forced to cooperate. During the interviews, their smart devices – phones, computers - are taken by border guards. Travellers’ contacts, correspondence and other data can be used against them, their family members, relatives and acquaintances.
“The increased aggressiveness of the Minsk regime contributed to the destabilization of regional security, increasing tensions on the border with NATO members, including Lithuania, and the increased risk that the Belarusian security structures could potentially target every Lithuanian citizen,” said the Foreign Vice-Minister Adomėnas.
In July 2021, Lukashenko’s regime decided to reduce Lithuania’s diplomatic representation in Belarus to a minimum, i.e. to a single Lithuanian diplomat. The ability of the Lithuanian embassy to react promptly to all possible consular cases has drastically reduced. In most cases, the possibilities of assisting Lithuanian citizens due to aggressive and unlawful actions by the Belarusian authorities are now limited.
During the meeting, the stands installed at six border checkpoints were presented, reminding the continued recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Lithuanian citizens not to travel to Belarus and for those who are currently there to leave the country immediately. The travel of Lithuanian citizens to Belarus, while ignoring the recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, poses a threat to their safety, health and life.
The joint statement of the Foreign Ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland, issued today, notes that the situation in the neighbouring country has only become more difficult in the past three years. The authoritarian regime commits serious, systematic human rights violations within the country. It implements an aggressive foreign policy towards its neighbours, allowing the Russian Federation’s army to freely operate from its territory when waging war against Ukraine and deploying Wagner mercenaries.
