Building citizenship after crossing Schengen borders in the Baltic: unveiling challenges and journeys of Global South and Post-Soviet migrants and refugees in Lithuania

Short-Term Scientific Mission Blog: Field Notes

Grantee name: João Pedro Silveira Martins (CER Migracions – Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

Details of the STSM:

Title: Building citizenship after crossing Schengen borders in the Baltic: unveiling challenges and journeys of Global South and Post-Soviet migrants and refugees in Lithuania

Start and end date: 01/05/2024 to 15/05/2024

Home Country: Spain

Host Country: Lithuania

During my time in Vilnius (Lithuania), I engaged with the Sienos Group, a grassroots organization focused on supporting refugees crossing the Belarus-Lithuania border. This group has grown from a small collective to a notable entity around 50 active participants. Initially, it was marked by intense activity and disputes due to high border traffic, but this has since subsided as border activity decreased. The group comprises individuals from various nationalities, predominantly Lithuanians, with a structure divided into roles such as propaganda and activism.

Sienos Group and I travelled to the city of Daugavpils and Riga (Latvia) to continue building partnership with local NGOs and activists supporting the inclusion of refugees in the Baltic statis and Poland. Their work is crucial as many arrivals are coming from the forests in the border with Belarus, leading to a significant influx of migrants from South Asia and the Middle East, but also Africa and Latin America. These refugees often traverse a long journey through other post-Soviet countries before reaching Lithuania and when they reach the final destination, they have several needs in terms of protection and counselling for the asylum seeking.

My visit included a range of activities, such as workshops, seminars on the intersectionality of gender and sexuality on refuge, and cultural events. One highlight was the MO museum’s exhibition on Baltic sexuality during the Soviet era, revealing complex narratives of invasion and post-colonialism. This, along with visits to historical sites like the Parliament, underscored Lithuania’s evolving national identity and the challenges it faces in post-Soviet integration into the EU and NATO.

My experiences in the Baltics, particularly in Lithuania, offer valuable insights for Working Group 3, ‘Accessing Citizenship.’ Through academic discussions with Vilnius University scholars, I explored the historical and contemporary aspects of citizenship regimes, highlighting the transition from Soviet times to the EU integration and its impact on current policies.

Documenting refugee experiences, especially through the Sienos Group, revealed the significant challenges in accessing legal status and services due to inefficient identification systems and societal xenophobia. The EU’s role in setting standards and promoting human rights is crucial in addressing these barriers, as Lithuania has become a key transit country since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and also an important country of destination for migrants and refugees who decide to apply for asylum in that country.

I encountered various individuals and refugees, including a Ukrainian queer refugee whose insights into political propaganda and identity highlighted the profound impact of regional politics on personal lives. This interaction, alongside observations of societal attitudes and the exclusionary practices within grassroots organizations, emphasized the need for broader awareness and advocacy for refugee support.

These insights underscore the importance of efficient civil registries, inclusive national identification systems, and the need for EU-wide policies to support marginalized groups. By contributing these perspectives, I aim to inform policy recommendations that enhance access to citizenship, promote inclusive practices, and ensure consistent and fair treatment of migrants across the EU, leveraging grassroots organizations’ efforts to align with broader EU goals.

During my time in Vilnius, I have gained invaluable insights into the multifaceted dynamics of migration, refugee assistance, and the challenges of building inclusive societies in post-Soviet contexts. Sieno’s diverse membership, comprising individuals from various nationalities highlights the collective effort in addressing refugee issues. The division of roles into propaganda, support in the forest for migrants who are hurt or needing legal support, and activism underscores the complexity of their operations.

The extreme-right parties’ scapegoating of refugees to pressure the EU, alongside the group’s expansion efforts, including a vehicle to support refugees in the forest and an international network of volunteers, illustrate significant challenges and initiatives in refugee assistance. However, societal attitudes and the reluctance to extend help to Latvians indicate deeper challenges in fostering a more inclusive approach.

After the collaboration with the group, I was able to share all these experiences through doctoral workshops I offered for students from Vilnius University and Vytautas Magnus University, providing them a platform to discuss methodologies and share insights on migration, gender, and refugee issues.