ES prieglobsčio politikos įgyvendinimas Lietuvoje ; The implementation of EU asylum policy in Lithuania

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyse the implementation of EU asylum policy in Lithuania by institutional and legal aspects. This paper analyses the legal basis of EU asylum policy, marking the main laws which regulate EU asylum policy and its implementing institutions. It also examines the current situation of Lithuanian asylum policy and how the legal basis of EU asylum policy is harmonized and implemented in Lithuanian system. The empirical research was aimed at evaluating the problemical aspects of institutional and legal basis in the implementation of EU asylum policy in Lithuania. At the moment the second stage of common EU asylum policy system is being exercised. In conformity with it, the main asylum system procedures in EU member states should be equalized by July 2015. Lithuania's EU memebership was not a significant criterion for the increase of refugees' flows in the country but Lithuania has become attractive as a transit country. The main part of the provisions of EU asylum directives reflect in the law on the legal status of foreigners, though they also reflect in secondary legislation acts. The most of provisions are transfered correctly, however in some areas directives has had a negative impact, especially concerning the provisions about additional refugee status. On the other hand, the implementation of EU asylum directives has provided a positive effect in such areas as the validation of free legal assistance to asylum seekers, introducing wider opportunities to use education and health care system and etc. There is noticed the demand of the redistribution of functions in some asylum policy implementing institutions in Lithuania, especially in Migration department. Despite the fact that Lithuania does not experience the significant burden of refugees, th EU funding for asylum policy in Lithuania is not enough, it's also worth mentioning the lack of finance in the area of human resources. At the moment one of the most important initiatives is the renovation of Foreigners' registration centre in Pabradė, which is necessary due to the very poor material conditions. The main institutional issue is the absence of foreigners' integration system and the lack of its coordinating body.