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Statement of the Republic of Lithuania   Delivered by the Permanent Representative Ambassador Rytis Paulauskas 

Thank you, Mr. President,

We unequivocally condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which continues with near-constant air attacks against innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure. In July and August, the UN recorded the highest casualties since 2022. It constitutes a systematic assault on human dignity and an overt violation of the UN Charter.

Russia's war of aggression is inseparable from transnational repression and mass human rights violations at home. We are concerned about the complete crackdown on civil society, human rights defenders, LGBTI persons, indigenous activists, lawyers, journalists, independent media and political opposition, and by misuse of "foreign agent" an "extremist" designation.

Belarus, which is complicit in Russia's aggression has weaponised its judicial system to target any form of dissent. We call for release and safe rehabilitation of political prisoners and urge Belarus to halt transnational repression, the instrumentalization of migrants, the persecution of human rights defenders and civil society.

Continuous suppression of civil society, political opposition by the current Georgian government is also of our concern.

Lithuania is alarmed by the continuation of systemic repression and gender persecution in Iran, Afghanistan, and sexual violence that continues with impunity in Sudan, inflicting suffering on already vulnerable populations.

We condemn torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment and call for release of all arbitrary detained in Cuba, Iran and the DPRK.

Lithuania is alarmed by the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Thank you.