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24 June 2022, 50th session of the Human Rights Council​ ​Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants

I have the honour to speak on behalf of Latvia, Poland and my own country Lithuania.

We thank the Special Rapporteur for his report and continued work. We fully recognize the importance of establishing a human rights-based approach to migration that assures the protection of migrants, especially those escaping conflict and persecution in their countries of origin.

Since the start of unprovoked and unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine, our countries have promptly granted temporary protection to all Ukrainian refugees, with particular focus on those in vulnerable situations, including women, children and elderly persons, suffering from Russian aggression.

We note the concerns expressed in your report regarding policies of Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia. However, it is Belarusian authorities that organised a large-scale hybrid attack against the EU using migrants as a geopolitical tool. We made sure that our responsive actions are in full compliance with our international commitments.

Mr. Special Rapporteur, in the report, you have mentioned that your official visit to Belarus was postponed, because of the lack of response from the Belarusian authorities. What efforts are currently being made to get access to Belarus? Has a new date of possible visit been set? Additionally, what could be done to prevent states from using migrants as weapons in the future?

I thank you.