Lithuania's Interior Ministry has drafted amendments on the detention of migrants after the Constitutional Court ruled in June that the detention of migrants for six months without trial was unconstitutional.
Under the new amendments, factors including the asylum seeker’s age, health, or family situation would mean the person’s right to free movement would not be restricted. This will apply only if the person applies for asylum at a border crossing point.
Further reading
The amendments also shorten the maximum duration of the border procedure from six to five months, in line with the EU's legislative proposals.
In the case of an unaccompanied minor seeking asylum, where there are reasonable doubts about their age, the restriction can be applied until the age is established, but no longer than 28 days from the date of registration of the asylum seeker in the Lithuanian Migration Information System.
The bill also establishes an appeals procedure against the detention, which must be filed with a district court within 14 days, as well as proposes less severe restrictions on free movement.
Read more: Migration crisis in Baltics and Poland
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