There were intercessors of Russian citizens who were not allowed in Lithuania: they were concerned about their rights
This narrative is consistent with the information disseminated by Russia about Lithuania and another country whose invasion of Ukraine no longer allows Russian tourists.
Saw segregation
“A ban on the entry of Russian tourists has come into effect in Lithuania,” one Facebook account announced two weeks ago. – Latvia, Estonia and Poland are currently the most Russian states, apart from Ukraine, in such a convenient order.
The ruling cliques in these countries are trying to convince everyone that total segregation on a national, ethnic basis is not fascism, Nazism and such basic international rights – the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, etc. – gross violation does not contradict international law, does not rehabilitate fascism and does not revive Nazism.”
The following are the persons who will be allowed to travel: diplomats, dissidents (it is commented next to it: “apparently, only those who express the “correct” attitude towards Russia through the eyes of Vilnius” are meant), employees of transport companies, family members of European Union (EU) citizens , holders of a residence permit or long-term national Schengen visas, traveling in transit to the Kingdom of Hungary and back.
By not admitting others, Lithuania allegedly commits an international crime and “grossly violates human rights”.
Also read: Lithuania closes its borders to Russian tourists
The post also suggested imagining yourself in such a situation: “You are forbidden to speak Lithuanian, Lithuanian schools are closed, you are forbidden to be proud of your culture, history, your country, you are forbidden to leave the country, travel freely, your property, property is taken away, your business is restricted, you are despised, mocked in public everywhere – and all this because you are Lithuanian”.
Not everyone is banned
It is true that the Baltic countries and Poland closed their borders to Russian citizens traveling for tourism, culture, sports or business purposes, and without even waiting for the agreed date of September 19.
In the statement of their prime ministers at the beginning of last month was notedthat traveling in the EU is a privilege, not a human right, and it is unacceptable that citizens of an aggressor state can travel freely, while people in Ukraine are being tortured and killed.
“Among the Russian citizens arriving in the EU and Schengen, there are individuals whose goal is to harm the security of our countries, because three quarters of Russian citizens support Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine,” said the Prime Ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland Ingrida Šimonytė, Krišjanis Karinis, Kaja Kallas and Mateusz Morawiecki explained the decision.
Also read: Survey: two-thirds of the country’s population support the ban on Russian citizens
According to them, “this is not an affordable entry ban, legal exceptions that have been mutually agreed upon, for dissidents, humanitarian cases, family members, holders of residence permits, exceptions related to the simplification of cargo and transport services, diplomatic missions, simplification of the transit of Kaliningrad persons will continue to apply etc”
The heads of government also stressed their full support for the need to continue supporting the opponents of Vladimir Putin’s regime and provide them with opportunities to leave Russia.
The EU did not announce a complete travel ban, but it was agreed to stop in 2007. application of the visa facilitation agreement with Russia. Schengen visas have increased in price from 35 to 85 euros. The duration of visa application processing has been extended from 10 to 15 days, and in some cases up to 45 days.
The rules for multiple entry visas have been tightened. Visa applicants also have to submit more documents and can no longer use the simplified list.
The list of rights is long, visas are not mentioned
The cited post provides link to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its very first article states: “All men are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
The document states that everyone has the right to enjoy all the rights and freedoms set forth in it without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national social origin, property, birth or other status.
Furthermore, no distinction shall be made as to the political, legal or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether independent, trusteeship, non-self-governing or otherwise limited in its sovereignty.
The Declaration contains many different rights, such as life, liberty and security of person, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, citizenship, property, equal protection from discrimination, work, leisure and time, education.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude, tortured, subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, everyone may marry, hold and express his beliefs freely, have the right to be considered absent until proven in a court of law, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, direct or to participate in the government of their country through freely chosen representatives.
Among other things, in the document indicatedthat “everyone has the right to move freely and the right to choose his residence in every country”, “to leave any country, including his own, and return to his country”, “to seek and enjoy asylum in other countries from persecution”.
The declaration does not mention that a visa or entry to another country is a human right, and not issuing it or not allowing it to be submitted to the state human rights.
There is nothing like it in the European Convention on Human Rights. It does not mention visas at all. On the contrary: it is written that it is even possible to limit the freedom of a person, that he cannot be allowed to leave the country.
Human rights are considered basic standards, without which it is most important to ensure a safe and dignified life for people.
They “protect our life and keep us from harm”, allowing us to live as free persons and engage in various activities – express ourselves, get new information, meet friends and like-minded people, etc. is written “Guide to Human Rights”.
It is true that human rights and liberties can be restricted in order to protect the rights and liberties of others, provided more benefit to the rest of society.
The comparison with the Nazis is unfounded
In the quoted article, the denial of entry of Russian citizens to Lithuania is called an international crime. However, even in international law, the definition of the concept has left many unanswered questions, so such unequivocal conclusions cannot be made.
Also read: Not a single Russian citizen of Lithuanian origin took advantage of the opportunity to come to Lithuania
According to lawyer Justin Žilinskas, the only source that tried to provide a common definition was the 1996 articles on responsibility of states for violations of international law. Here were singled out three ericharacteristic of an international crime: an international obligation is violated, it has fundamental interests of the international community, it is recognized as a crime by the entire international community.
Record minimum Nazism – a form of fascism – exalted the Aryan race. A special document was introduced to confirm it – Ahnenpasswhich could also be granted by other states if they proved German or racially related blood.
The Nazis propagated pseudo-scientific theories about racial hierarchy, sought social differences and created a homogenous German society.
Also read: ‘Wrong and unethical’: Experts reject comparison of Opportunity Passport to Nazi behavior
This ideology cannot be compared with the ban on the entry of Russian citizens to Lithuania, because the latter is related to citizenship, not nationality, one country or nation (Lithuania or Lithuanians) is not singled out as superior to the other (in such a case, there should be a ban on citizens of other countries as well).
Misinformation is on the rise
Complaints about Russophobia are one of the most popular pro-Russian disinformation narratives. Since long ago explainedthat Russia is a victim, and those who doubt it are called Russophobes.
The Lithuanian army just exactly two weeks ago, when a quoted post appeared on Facebook that hostile sources paid special attention to the topic of Lithuanian-Russian relations in August.
“Despite the different sub-themes, they were dominated by one – the line of the narrative of Lithuania’s alleged anti-Russianness, Russophobia and hostile actions towards Russia”, – noted Department of Strategic Communication of the army.
In August, 505 cases of negative information activity features were identified – almost half a dozen more than in July.
The initiative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to end the issuance of Schengen tourist visas to Russian citizens was one of the main topics: “Propaganda sources said that Lithuania stands against the EU’s basic values, restricts human rights and segregates tourists on a national and civil basis.
The labels of “fascism” and “Nazism” have also been widely applied to our country. Official Russian officials have said in their public statements that “people who position themselves as beacons of democracy have now turned into cave-in Russophobes and exhibit neo-Nazi attitudes.” It was emphasized that this proposal by Lithuania is allegedly a sign of the foreign policy of a non-independent state.”
According to the analysts, the hostile information was spread purposefully, to cause distrust of the citizens in the decisions of the political and military leadership of Lithuania, to belittle the capabilities of the Lithuanian army, to promote dissatisfaction with their country, to mislead and intimidate about the possible threat of war in the Baltic countries, and to raise doubts about NATO.”
The publication was prepared in 15 minutes in partnership with Facebookwhich aims to stop the spread of misleading news on the social network. More about the program and its rules – here.