Lithuanian conservatives led by Laurynas Kasčiūnas have once again proposed revoking residence permits from Belarusian citizens who frequently travel to their home country.
Last year a similar amendment was proposed by Kasčiūnas and his colleagues, who are in opposition, during consideration of a law extending restrictions on Belarusians and Russians. At that time the Seimas ultimately approved the measure only with regard to Russian citizens.
Now the Seimas is again considering a bill to extend the restrictions for another year. A group of deputies led by Kasčiūnas has decided to try once more to push through its proposal. Their amendment includes a ban on accepting applications for temporary residence permits from Belarusian citizens. The proposed ban concerns only the issuance of the first residence permit. Those who already have a residence permit in Lithuania would still be able to apply for a new one.
The deputies also again propose revoking temporary residence permits from Belarusian citizens who visit Belarus or Russia more often than once every three months. Exceptions would apply to workers in the transport sector and to trips related to objective circumstances beyond the person’s control.
“Belarus helps Russia in the war against Ukraine by allowing its territory to be used for military operations and at the same time takes part in hostile hybrid operations against Lithuania — smuggling balloons and drones have repeatedly entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarusian territory,” Kasčiūnas said, according to the Seimas press service.
In his view, there are no grounds for applying different restrictive measures to citizens of Belarus and Russia.
The bill submitted to parliament by Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry proposes extending the restrictive measures for one year. It also includes a legal provision banning trucks entering from Belarus and Russia from carrying more than 200 liters of fuel in their tanks.
Work on the bill is currently taking place in parliamentary committees, which must issue their conclusions. The draft law and the amendments proposed by deputies will then be put to a vote in parliament.
