| Abstract [eng] |
The master’s thesis examines the migration and integration experiences of political migrants from Tajikistan in Lithuania. The aim of the study is, based on the push-pull and migration network theories, as well as semi-structured interviews with Tajik political migrants and NGO workers, to explore the main factors motivating Tajiks‘ migration to Lithuania and how their integration in Lithuania unfolds. The objectives of the study are: 1) to review relevant theoretical approaches explaining the factors promoting migration; 2) to analyze the process of immigrants‘ integration from both theoretical and Lithuanian immigration policy perspectives; 3) to discuss the sociopolitical context of Tajikistan and its significance for people emigrating for political reasons; 4) based on semi-structured interview data, to examine the push and pull factors of Tajik political migrants and to review the integration process and experiences of this migrant community in Lithuania from the perspective of migration networks. The study conducted 12 interviews with the lawyers and social workers of a selected NGO and with Tajiks in Lithuania who have asylum due to political persecution in their home country. The theoretical basis of the study is the push-pull and migration network theories, as they help provide a better understanding of the migration stages, considering the influence of networks and individual decisions. The study showed that the main push factor for Tajiks is political persecution in their home country, and the pull factors to Lithuania are safety, obtaining asylum, and assistance from the Tajik community. The study highlighted a contradictory evaluation of the Tajik community. While the Tajik community acts as one of the pull factors for Tajik migrants to come to Lithuania and as a facilitating factor for their integration in Lithuania, the changing Tajik diaspora due to the arrival of labor migrants creates a sense of insecurity for political migrants, leading to their further isolation, which hinders their integration process in Lithuania. The results of the study would be useful for comparative research on the situation and integration of political migrants, as well as for promoting discussions on the formation of migrant integration policies in Lithuania and the EU. |
