RIGA, 11 aug. The Latvian opposition party «Consent» has called on the Latvian government to respect human rights and international law regarding illegal migrants who are trying to get into Latvia from Belarus. The Latvian government has declared a state of emergency on the border with Belarus on August 11 due to a sharp increase in the number of illegal migrants who are trying to get into the country. Servicemen of the National Armed Forces were brought in to help the border guards.
Lithuania threw out a unconscious pregnant foreign woman at the border The «Consent» faction in the Seimas understands the fears of Latvian residents in connection with massive illegal immigration attempts at the EU-Belarus border. We urge the government to act promptly and actively to prevent possible negative consequences for Latvian residents and , first of all, for residents of Latgale, «- said in a message of the party on Facebook. At the same time, the party recalls that the duty of Latvia as a democratic country is to comply with its obligations in the field of human rights, to accept and consider applications for asylum and not to allow violations of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (no one should be subjected to any torture, nor inhuman or degrading treatment — ed.), especially when it comes to women and children. «We demand that the government act in accordance with the state's obligations in the field of human rights,» the message says.
The ex-mayor of Riga criticized the Latvian authorities because of the crisis on the borderLatvia, following Lithuania, faced illegal migration from the territory of Belarus. Only in the period from 6 to 10 August, 295 people were detained, and in total since the beginning of the year — 355. The Latvian authorities introduced increased control to guard the border and mobilized the resources of the border guard and the army. Last week, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins announced its intention to accelerate the construction of infrastructure on the border with Belarus. In order to combat illegal migration, Latvia several years ago announced its intention to equip 173 km of the border with Belarus, including erecting a 135 km fence. The cost of the project was estimated at 27.6 million euros, and the work was planned to be completed in 2021, however, due to shortcomings identified by the State Audit Office, construction was stopped. Last week, the republic's authorities announced their intention to speed up the construction of infrastructure on the border with Belarus.
