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General Debate under Item 8 Joint Statement of the Republic of Lithuania, on behalf of a group of countries at UN Human Rights Council, 58th session

Eightieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War

Thank you, Mr. President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of a group of countries.

As we commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we remember the suffering and horror that occurred during this war across all continents and pay tribute to all its victims. Regrettably, for many nations, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, the war and occupation did not end in 1945. On the contrary, it was followed by decades of repression and Soviet imperialism. Even though Central and Eastern Europe successfully liberated themselves from oppression, the brutal system that denies millions of people their freedom and suppressed their national identities still exists in present-day Russia and affects its neighbours.

Almost eighty years after the end of the Second World War, the adoption of the UN Charter, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we see Russia waging its unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. It already brought the biggest human rights and humanitarian crisis in Europe since 1945. The Russian army targets and destroys peaceful cities, civilian infrastructure, and murders civilians, including children. It temporarily occupies about 20 percent of Ukraine’s territory, where it completely disregards its international humanitarian law and human rights law obligations. Russian troops are also illegally deployed in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova. This is all done in brutal violation of international law with the UN Charter at its core, and Russia’s international commitments to withdraw.

Russia uses the memory of the Second World War to justify its own international crimes, including the crime of aggression, both past and present. Russia rewrites history, glorifies its imaginary achievements, and further nourishes its imperial aspirations. Under false claims of fighting “neo-Nazism”, Russia has been trying to subjugate Ukraine and eliminate its culture, history, and ethnic identity. Russia seeks to establish its dominance within its self-proclaimed sphere of influence through the use of force.

We cannot allow selective remembrance to distort the past and justify aggression. Soviet horrors of occupation, such as mass killing, torture, deportation, forced russification, and political repression have returned in the 21st century and are actively implemented by Russia in the occupied parts of Ukraine. Both Soviet and present-day Russian crimes against humanity must be recognized, and their perpetrators held accountable.
While commemorating the end of the Second World War, we call upon all States to unite their efforts in dealing with challenges and threats to international peace and security according to the UN Charter, its principles of equality and sovereignty of states, as well as their territorial integrity, and in full respect for human rights.

I thank you.

List of co-sponsors:
1. Estonia
2. Latvia
3. Liechtenstein
4. Lithuania
5. Republic of Moldova
6. Monaco
7. Poland
8. Spain
9. Ukraine