The UN issued recommendations to Lithuania: how to deal with migrants
The Committee is concerned about the restrictions on the freedom of movement of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, in particular the mandatory de facto detention, which also applies to families with children and victims. The Committee also noted the poor reception or de facto detention facilities: overcrowding, heating, lack of drinking and hot water, lack of privacy, medical care, sanitation and hygiene.
The Committee noted and identified a lack of clear procedures for identifying vulnerable individuals. The Committee also expressed concern about the practice of rejection at the borders and the expulsion of collective aliens entering Lithuanian territory, which are prohibited by international law, as well as the severely restricted right to apply for asylum and inappropriate practices in examining asylum applications.
Concluding remarks The Committee recommended that Lithuania take all necessary measures to ensure that the detention of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees is used only as a measure of last resort and that the necessary safeguards for illegal or arbitrary detention are in place for families with children and vulnerable persons. The Committee recommended that reception conditions be met, including adequate accommodation, adequate and sufficient food, clothing, other necessary non-food items, psychosocial and health services, taking into account the special needs of vulnerable persons.
The committee also called for government reports and allegations of excessive use of physical force, torture and degrading treatment in detention camps. In addition, Lithuania is called upon to ensure the provision of the necessary information and legal assistance to asylum seekers and fair asylum procedures with an effective right of appeal.
The Committee also recommended ensuring that all asylum seekers, including those arriving irregularly and in an emergency, have the right, both in law and in practice, to apply for asylum and to remain. [valstybÄ—s] pending the outcome of the asylum procedure. ” The Committee also called on the State to ensure that the National Human Rights Authority, non-governmental organizations and journalists have an unhindered location in the state of emergency.