The government supported the extension of the state of emergency on the border of Belarus until November 10, a decision was made in a closed meeting on August 9.
Considering the increased pressure of illegal immigration, the Latvian government has declared a state of emergency in Ludza, Krāslava, Upper Daugava counties, as well as in Daugavpils. The government announced it on August 11 last year, and until now it had been extended several times. The last time it was extended until August 10, 2022.
The Ministry of the Interior (IeM) stated that since August 10, 2021, a total of more than 6,777 persons have been prevented from illegally crossing the state border.
Although the number of persons illegally crossing the Latvia–Belarus border has decreased, the border guard still detects such cases. In May, 20 persons were prevented from illegally crossing the state border, in June – 96 persons, and in July – 13 persons.
In August, in comparison with July, the number of persons who tried to cross the border illegally has increased.
If above mentioned 13 attempts to illegally cross the border were prevented in July, then there were already 50 attempts by August 8, so this situation should be treated with caution and its is necessary to be prepared for various situations, Minister of the Interior Kristaps Eklon stated in a press release.
«According to the information provided by the State Border Guard, in the case of a repeated hybrid attack, additional capacity would be needed by attracting other services. However, other services do not have the right to carry out activities on the border and provide support to the border guards without the circumstances of an emergency situation. Without extending the state of emergency, human resources at the border would be reduced by 75%. We cannot allow such a risk,» said the Minister of the Interior.
A significant factor to be considered is the war started by Russia in Ukraine, which is also supported by Belarus. Therefore, there is justification in cautiousness about the decrease in the number of persons illegally crossing the Latvia–Belarus border.
Information about illegal crossing of the state border from the territory of Belarus is also still being received from Lithuania and Poland. Thus, surveillance of the Latvia-Belarus border in an enhanced mode is to be ensured in the future.
A serious factor to be also taken into account is that the construction of the permanent fence on Poland–Belarus is completed, while the construction of the permanent fence is already underway on the Lithuania–Belarus border.
LITHUANIA HAS EXTENDED THE STATE of EMREGENCY UNTIL SEPTEMBER 15.
The construction of the permanent fence on the Latvia–Belarus border is planned to start in the near future. Therefore, there is a possibility that Belarus may take advantage of the situation that a permanent fence has not been built, thus increasing the number of border violators.
It is also essential to ensure a unified coordinated international action regarding such illegal crossing of the state border so that equal protection of the border of the countries of the entire region with Belarus is ensured.
The amendments to the regulation prepared by the Ministry of Interior also stipulate that border guards, police officers and State Security Service employees involved in border protection will be given a bonus for work in conditions of increased risk and stress. The bonus will be up to 50 percent of their hourly wage rate.
The expenses related to the allowances will be covered from the state budget funds for unforeseen cases according to the actually required amount .