Implementation of reception and detention regimes in Lithuania prepared by Renata Kulesh Kyiv 7-8 February, 2005

Basic legislative documents on reception and detention regimes Law on the Legal Status of Aliens (from April 29, 2004) Order and Conditions of Temporary Accommodation of Foreigners at Foreigners’ Registration Centre (approved by Government Decree from January 29, 2001)

Reception and detention facilities in Lithuania SBGS Foreigners’ Registration Centre is situated in Pabrade near Vilnius Refugee Reception Centre is situated in Rukla near Kaunas

Comparative study of the existing Centres in Lithuania in 2005

Place in governmental system Refugee Reception Centre is an agency under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour Foreigners’ Registration Centre is an agency under the Ministry of Internal Affairs within the State Border Guard Service

Definitio n provided by the Law Refugee Reception Centre Is a budgetary agency providing social services, intended for accommodating aliens who have been granted asylum in Lithuania as well as for implementing social integration of the aliens. Foreigners’ Registration Centre Is an agency intended for keeping aliens detained and for accommodating the asylum applicants, carrying out investigation as regards personal identity, the circumstances of entry and carrying out expulsion of aliens from Lithuania.

Type of the regimes provided Refugee Reception Centre Reception and social integration Foreigners’ Registration Centre Reception Detention

A place of temporary accommodation Refugee Reception Centre For unaccompanied minors from the beginning of the asylum procedure For persons who have been already granted asylum and stay permit in Lithuania Foreigners’ Registration Centre For all asylum seekers during the asylum procedure (except unaccompanied minors)

Grounds for regimes to be applied Refugee Reception Centre Decision of Migration Department (in case of unaccompanied minors) Stay permit Foreigners’ Registration Centre The decision of local court on Detention Reception, if measure alternative to detention such as accommodation without restriction of the freedom of movement is applied

Structure Refugee Reception Centre Refugee Reception Division Integration Division Information and Documentation Division Medical Section Logistics Foreigners’ Registration Centre Investigation Division Security Division Medical Section Logistics

Capacity Refugee Reception Centre 350 aliens Foreigners’ Registration Centre Totally 500 aliens In detention regime aliens In reception regime aliens

Summary Implementation of reception and detention regimes is shared by two Ministries involved. Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for State Border Guard Service Foreigners’ Registration Centre, which implements both reception and detention regimes. Ministry of Social Security and Labour is responsible for reception regimes in Refugee Reception Centre and the implementation of the social integration programme.

Summary Foreigners’ Registration Centre is a place of stay for aliens until the final decision on asylum is taken. It also implements return and expulsion orders.

Summary Refugee Reception Centre is a place of temporary accommodation after asylum is granted and the stay permit had been issued. This Centre also implements the social integration programme.

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