Statement of Lithuania during the HRC's General Debate on Item 4
21 March 2022, 49th session of the Human Rights Council, Item 3 General Debate Delivered by H.E. Ambassador Darius Staniulis, Permanent Representative of Lithuania in Geneva
Thank you, President,
Lithuania aligns itself with the EU statement as well as to our Nordic-Baltic statements under the inter-active dialogues on Iran, Syria and South Sudan.
Lithuania condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine. It has devastating impact on human rights, causes suffering and death of innocent people, including children. Moreover, Lithuania condemns actions of Belarus, enabling Russia’s war against Ukraine. We urge Russia to immediately cease military attacks, unconditionally withdraw its forces and fully respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
We express our support to those in Russia and Belarus who dare to protest against Russia’s aggression and call to stop systematic human rights violations against its own population.
We are concerned about the human rights violations in Afghanistan, especially on reported killings, arbitrary detentions and torture. Perpetrators of these acts must be held accountable. Afghan women and girls, like all Afghans, deserve to live in safety, security and dignity and to enjoy the respect, protection, and fulfilment of all their human rights.
With respect to Myanmar, we continue to be deeply concerned about the new level of violence and repression across the country and call upon the Myanmar military leadership to end the state of emergency, immediately release all those arbitrarily detained, to end discrimination of persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, sexual and gender-based violence. We urge Myanmar to respect and protect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law in full cooperation with UN human rights and international mechanisms.
We are deeply concerned about the human rights violations in Sudan. Since the start of ongoing conflicts in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile, civilians have been injured, killed, detained, abducted and displaced on a massive scale. We urge to ensure the protection of civilians especially women and children.
Finally, we recognize the recent positive steps taken towards ending the ongoing conflict in Northern Ethiopia, the establishment of a National dialogue commission by the government of Ethiopia and the end of the state of emergency. Let’s use this momentum for peace, security and reconciliation.
Thank you.
