Belarus’ Foreign Ministry representative: since 2021, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland systematically restricted human rights to freedom of movement
Since 2021, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland have systematically restricted people’s rights to freedom of movement – as stated by Irina Velichko, the Head of the Main Department of Multilateral Diplomacy of Belarus’ Foreign Ministry, at the OSCE headquarters in the Vienna Hofburg Palace during the presentation of the first joint report of the Belarusian and Russian foreign ministries on human rights situation in certain foreign countries, sb.by reports
“At the initiative of these countries, almost all border crossings on the border with Belarus are closed, which forces people to stand in long queues. Cargo transport is indefinitely delayed at the border. Hundreds of heavy trucks with humanitarian supplies cannot deliver them on time,” Ms. Velichko said.
The representative of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry drew attention to the fact that the Lithuanian authorities deliberately create obstacles for Belarusians and Lithuanians living in border areas to visit relatives and friends, as well as for commercial and tourist trips, “Amid the visa-free regime supported by the Belarusian side for residents of Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, the Lithuanian authorities have significantly complicated the issuance of entry visas for citizens of Belarus. On June 3rd, 2024, discriminatory restrictions came into force allowing Lithuanian customs officers to confiscate food, medicines and other goods for personal use from citizens of Belarus, Lithuania and third countries upon entry into Lithuania or transit through Lithuanian territory. At the same time, neither citizenship, nor age, nor the state of health of persons crossing the border are taken into account. On June 5th, 2024, the Lithuanian customs authorities, taking into account the mass protests of Lithuanians, made some concessions, allowing the transportation of products — attention — in open packaging. The situation deliberately created by the Lithuanian side is an inhuman tyranny.”
“We’ve repeatedly proposed to return to normal interaction between specialised border structures of neighbouring countries with Belarus. We consistently advocate dialogue and hope to establish contacts with our Western neighbours. As the Slavic proverb says, neighbours are not chosen — it’s necessary just to be friends with them. Each country is unique in its diversity, and there is no single recipe that can be applied to all societies. If we recognise the diversity of human rights-related development paths, we can ensure real multilateralism, mutual understanding, peace and justice throughout the world,” the diplomat underlined.
