LIETUVA RAGINA SIRIJOS KLAUSIMĄ PERDUOTI SVARSTYTI TARPTAUTINIAM BAUDŽIAMAJAM TEISMUI
Ambasadoriaus Ryčio Paulausko pasisakymas dėl Sirijos 21-toje JT Žmogaus teisių tarybos sesijoje. Madame President, Lithuania aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union. First of all, we would like to thank the Commission of Inquiry for the report before us and for its efforts to carry out in-depth investigations of grave human rights violations in Syria. We have been witnessing the significant deterioration of human rights situation in Syria since the civilian uprising began more than a year ago. Through widespread and systemic use of force against civilian population thousands have lost their lives, many more have been injured.
According to the findings of the Commission there are reasonable grounds to believe that Government forces and the Shabbiha have committed crimes against humanity and other violations of international law, including unlawful killing, torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, sexual violence and indiscriminate attacks. The report concludes: serious crimes have been perpetrated also by organized anti-Government armed groups. This cannot continue. All parties must put an immediate end to indiscriminate violence against civilians, Syrian authorities must meet their responsibility to protect their population. Human rights violations and abuses must be thoroughly investigated, perpetrators of the crimes committed must be brought to justice. Lithuania supports the position of the countries that believe that the case of Syria should be referred to the International Criminal Court.
Madame President, Lithuania strongly supports the important work carried out by the Commission and joins the call to the Council to further extend its mandate. At the same time, we would also like to extend our full support for the Special Representative Brahimi in settling Syrian crisis and encourage the League of Arab States to continue its efforts aimed at seeking solutions needed to cease all violence and at advancing political transition process in the country.
Thank you, Madame President.
