Lithuania Proposes Clarifying Grounds For Entry Ban On Artists Performing In Russia And Belarus

The Lithuanian government has proposed revising an initiative to ban entry to foreign artists and other cultural figures who, after the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, continued to work in Belarus, Russia or occupied territories, LRT reports.

The bill was drafted by Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas and Seimas member Vytautas Kernagis. The document provides for the possibility of banning such foreigners from entering Lithuania for up to five years. The Seimas has already backed the initiative after its presentation.

At today’s meeting, the government broadly approved the goals of the bill but recommended that the Seimas not continue considering it. In the Cabinet’s view, the goals can be achieved through amendments to the law on restrictive measures related to military aggression against Ukraine, prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The proposed amendments would ban Belarusian and Russian individuals and legal entities, as well as organizations associated with them, from public activities in Lithuania in the fields of education, science, culture, sports, art and entertainment when the grounds established by law are present.

At the same time, if the Seimas continues considering the conservatives’ initiative, the government proposes substantially clarifying the grounds for an entry ban. In the Cabinet’s view, the mere fact of performing or engaging in other cultural activities in Russia, Belarus or occupied territories after Feb. 24, 2022, is not sufficient. It proposes taking into account the nature, scale and intensity of a particular person’s activities, as well as their possible links to propaganda, disinformation or a threat to national security.

In addition, the government considers it necessary to establish a mechanism for an individual assessment of the threat, ensure compliance with the principle of proportionality, and provide grounds for not applying restrictions or possible exemptions.

Lithuania has previously imposed entry bans on individual artists who support the Russian authorities and have performed in Russia or Crimea. They include Russian rapper Gio Pika (real name — Gio Dzhioev).