Minister of Justice Rimantas Mockus: Lithuania, as a place of refuge for the Belarusian democratic movement, will seek the accountability of the Lukashenko regime
Minister of Justice Rimantas Mockus met with the leaders of the Belarusian democratic movement, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Pavel Latushko.
Rimantas Mockus stressed that Lithuania, having become a place of refuge for the Belarusian democratic movement, will continue to actively mobilise all necessary assistance for Belarus in its quest for the restoration of democracy and will seek the accountability of the Lukashenko regime for the migrant crisis it has caused in the attempt to destabilise the internal processes in Lithuania and neighbouring countries.
“The situation in Belarus is directly related to the security interests of Lithuania and obliges Lithuania and the international community to take active steps to restore democracy in Belarus. The Lukashenko regime will have to answer for the crimes against humanity, forced deportation and persecution of persons, and other cruel treatment contrary to the fundamental norms of international law,” emphasised the Minister.
The Minister assured that a democratic and free Belarus is one of the key long-term international policy objectives of the 19th Government. Upholding the rule of law and holding the regime accountable for its international crimes are priority objectives in the area of justice.
As requested by Lithuania, the International Criminal Court is conducting a preliminary investigation into the crimes against humanity committed by the Lukashenko regime – the forced deportation and persecution of persons, and other cruel treatment contrary to the fundamental norms of international law.
Following the fraudulent and illegitimate presidential elections in Belarus in 2020, Belarusian civil society has risen up against the authoritarian Alexander Lukashenko with massive protests and movements of the opposition forces for a democratic future for Belarus.
Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have fled the country in search of humanitarian protection in Lithuania and in the European Union. More than 60,000 Belarusians are permanently resident in Lithuania, many of whom have been and still are oppressed by the regime or are victims of crimes.
Last updated: 20-01-2025