Refugees willing to settle in Lithuania-poll

Aug 26, 2008
In cooperation with BNS

VILNIUS - Half of the refugees staying in Lithuania are willing to remain there to start a new life.

According to the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman Office, a poll of refugees conducted during the months of June-July with fugitives, who have found refuge in Lithuania as respondents, revealed that half of the respondents would like to permanently settle in Lithuania, where they would like to start their own business.

Some 21 percent of the respondents were undecided, with 15 percent saying they would like to return home as soon as their homeland is free of war. A small percentage also said they are doubtful and uncertain about their future plans, however would like for their children to complete schooling in Lithuania.

A total of 52 fugitives living in refugee centers around the region were polled.

Most of the respondents were Chechens (77 percent) and Afghans (13 percent), and one each from Vietnam, Zimbabwe, the Republic of Congo, Eritrea and Tajikistan.

Most of the asylum seekers have families (70 percent), with 11 percent living with partners, 7 percent single and 4 percent widowed.

Most of the refugees have completed secondary education (57 percent), with 6 percent having completed higher education as well. Some 75 percent of the respondents, according to the data of the poll, do not specialize in any one particular field.

The refugees also commented on how Lithuanians perceived them.

Some 42 percent of the polled said they feel well accepted in Lithuania. A few were of the opinion that black-skinned people are more tolerated by big city inhabitants, especially those of Vilnius. Those surveyed also noted occurrences of racism and increased attention from people on the streets, especially children, in places other than the larger cities.

 Chechens revealed that Lithuanians sometimes associate them with terrorists.

The Migration Department under the Interior Ministry has investigated over 4,000 requests filed by foreign citizens seeking asylum in Lithuania. Some 106 persons were granted the title of refugee and given permits for permanent residency. Another 400 people have made use of supplementary security in the state (they are given permits for temporary residency due to ongoing armed conflict or violations of human rights in their home states).

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