Sienos Grupė

In this edition: migrant emergency mishandled by authorities, preventable death exposing border policy failures, defending humanitarian aid from criminalization, deportation breaks family despite rights, condemning double standards in humanitarian policy, Ali’s deportation exposes migration contradictions, systemic sexual violence in closed institutions, reflection on authoritarianism and migrant challenges, honoring victims of Lithuania’s border policies, border restrictions turn illness deadly

We began the year with a heartfelt community gathering of Sienos Grupė’s founding members to reflect on our journey, reaffirm our role as a human rights watchdog, and look ahead. The meeting ended on a sweet note - with a traditional Stollen cake from our generous friends in Graupa, Germany, all thanks to Magret Gaertner.

As holidays are approaching, we wanted to wish you a restful and calm time with your loved ones. For people we support and work with, this time is usually no less stressful than in general, so we encourage everyone to act in solidarity with the less fortunate in the New Year.

Details on how to stay updated with our activities, including ways to contact us or donate, are provided at the end of this newsletter. Also, please support our fundraiser to raise money for legal aid for sexual abuse victims in a Lithuanian refugee camp.

What's wrong with the new Defence Minister's (recent interviews)?

In this newsletter’s edition: Transparency, Responsibility (case follow-up), Xenophobia in the housing market, Solidarity, Team bonding, Busy day in Latvia, Support Sienos, Health insurance (or the lack thereof)

In these months’ newsletter: Liepna Refugee Camp, International Migrant Day, Samrin and Unidentified Bodies pt.1, Holiday Activities, Samrin and Unidentified Bodies pt.2

Contact with relatives, The people behind statistics, Legislative decisions on detainment policy, Live so you don’t die inside, The grey zone of deportation, Case update, A successful marriage

Panel in the ODIHR conference, Same place, different people, Border guard violence, Political advocacy, Roadside miracles, All Souls week

Following these events, Sienos Grupė was established by a group of like-minded individuals who could not tolerate the state’s inaction and violent border policies such as legalisation of pushbacks, which trapped refugees in-between the two countries with no regard to harsh weather conditions.

During the first year we travelled thousands of kilometres over forests, fields, and swamps to provide humanitarian aid, organised protests, talked to politicians, journalists and anyone who would listen. We tirelessly contacted institutions, relatives, and friends of migrating and missing people, all while proving all criminal allegations against us baseless.

Within this time, we established ourselves as an official Lithuanian NGO - Sienos Grupė VšĮ.