News

The Government of Lithuania today, on 19 May, filed a case against Belarus at the International Court of Justice seeking the accountability of the Belarusian regime for organizing large-scale smuggling of migrants into Lithuania. The case concerns violations of states’ obligations under the United Nations Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air (hereafter - ‘the Protocol’).

Since 2021, Lithuania has faced an unprecedented increase in the flow of irregular migrants from Belarus. Evidence gathered by the Lithuanian authorities confirms the Belarusian regime’s direct involvement in organising migrant flows: Belarusian state-owned companies increased the number of flights from the Middle East and other regions, organized the issuance of visas and accommodation for incoming migrants. Upon arrival in Belarus, many migrants were escorted by Belarusian security forces to the Lithuanian border and forced to cross illegally, often under dangerous and life-threatening conditions.

Despite repeated requests for cooperation, the Belarusian border authorities refused to collaborate with the Lithuanian authorities to stop these illegal border crossings. Lithuania sees these actions as a deliberate attempt by the Belarusian regime to use migrants as a means of asserting political pressure on Lithuania and the European Union in response to their support for Belarusian democracy and imposed sanctions for human rights violations.

Despite intense bilateral negotiations, the dispute over violations of the Protocol has not been resolved. Therefore, Lithuania appeals to the International Court of Justice seeking the accountability of Belarus under international law for violations of the Protocol. Lithuania's requirements include full compensation for the damage caused, including the cost of building the wall, and guarantees that actions violating  international law will not be repeated.

Lithuania consistently uses the opportunities provided by international law to ensure the accountability of undemocratic regimes. Last year, Lithuania was the first country to request the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into crimes against humanity committed by the Aliaksandr Lukashenka's regime for forced deportations and persecution of persons and other atrocities contrary to fundamental norms of international law. Soon the Council of Europe Information Point for the Belarusian people will be set up and start operating in Vilnius.