Statement by the Lublin Triangle countries on Human Rights Defenders
15 March 2023 UN Human Rights Council, 52nd session Item 3: Interactive dialogue - Special Rapporteur on Human rights defenders Statement delivered by the Permanent Representative Ambassador Darius Staniulis
Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Lublin Triangle countries – Poland, Ukraine and Lithuania.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for her report highlighting the positive role of human rights defenders all around the world.
In numerous instances human rights defenders place their own safety and freedom at risk. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the civil society activists and human rights defenders, including those in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, who provide assistance to the thousands of war affected persons.
Human rights activists are also critical in documenting the violations stemming from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and ensuring accountability for the war crimes and violations of international law.
We strongly condemn cases of politically motivated prosecution, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and killing directed at those, who speak up against Russia’s war of aggression. It is particularly despicable that in some countries even Nobel Prize winners are regarded as criminals, as in the case of Ales Bialiatski in Belarus. We reiterate our call on Belarus to immediately and unconditionally release and rehabilitate all human rights defenders and political prisoners, including Polish journalist Andrzej Poczobut.
Madam Lawlor, how could we build on the success stories described in your report to assist those that defend human rights under oppression by authoritarian regimes?
I thank you.
