CYIL vol. 13 (2022)

CYIL 13 ȍ2022Ȏ MIGRATION FROM BELARUS TO LITHUANIA, POLAND, LATVIA IN 2021–2022 … organisations need to be provided with immediate and unhindered access to people therein to deliver humanitarian assistance. We stand in full solidarity with the Member States affected by this hybrid attack and will continue assisting those most directly impacted. Fundamental values will continue to guide our actions, especially as regards the protection of migrants’ human rights.” 81 European Council has stated that “The EU will continue countering the ongoing hybrid attack launched by the Belarusian regime, including by adopting further restrictive measures against persons and legal entities, in line with its gradual approach, as a matter of urgency.” 82 The North Atlantic Council has also stated its opinion and has condemned “the continued instrumentalisation of irregular migration artificially created by Belarus as part of hybrid actions targeted against Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia for political purposes.” 83 Some states have expressed their support and approval by action. In November 2021, the United Kingdom sent a contingent of troops (10 soldiers) from the Royal Engineers to support Poland’s border security. 84 Later the same month United Kingdom increased this number to 150 85 and in December they have sent additional 140 military engineers to provide Poland with support at its border with Belarus. 86 Estonia has sent 10 border officers to work together with Lithuanian border guards in the protection of Lithuanian border, 87 and has initiated the question in the UN Security Council. 88 UN Security Council discussed the situation in Belarus on 11 November 2021. UN SC members Britain, Estonia, France, Ireland, Norway, the United States and an incoming member of the council, Albania, issued a statement at the conclusion of a council meeting, condemning what they called “the orchestrated instrumentalization of human beings whose lives and well-being have been put in danger for political purposes by Belarus.” 89 There was 81 Council of the EU, ‘Belarus: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the situation at the European Union border’ (Press release, 10 November 2021) accessed 29 May 2022. 82 European Council, ‘European Council meeting (21 and 22 October 2021) – Conclusions’ (Brussels, 22 October 2021, EUCO 17/21) accessed 31 May 2022. 83 NATO (n 35). 84 GRYLLS, G., TOMLINSON, H. ‘British troops deployed to Polish border as tensions with Russia rise’ The Times (12 November 2021) accessed 31 May 2022. 85 BEALE, J., FAULKNER, D. ‘Belarus migrant crisis: British army engineers to help at Polish border’ BBC News (18 November 2021) accessed 31 May 2022. 86 ‘Britain sending 140 engineers to Polish border with Belarus’ Reuters (9 December 2021) accessed 31 May 2022. 87 ‘Darbą Lietuvos pasienyje su Baltarusija pradėjo dešimt Estijos pareigūnų’ [Ten Estonian officials started working on the Lithuanian border with Belarus] Delfi.lt (9 July 2021) accessed 31 May 2022. 88 ‘Estija ruošiasi iškelti Baltarusijos klausimą JT Saugumo Taryboje’ [Estonia is preparing to raise the issue of Belarus in the UN Security Council] 15min.lt (6 August 2021) accessed 31 May 2022. 89 GLADSTONE, R. ‘The clash over the Belarus-Poland border crisis spills into the U.N. Security Council.’ The New York Times (11 November 2021)

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