Lithuania appeals ICC against Lukashenko

Lithuania has officially requested that the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigate crimes against humanity committed by the regime of Belarusian Leader Alexander Lukashenko.

This was stated by the Lithuania’s Justice Ministry.

The appeal focuses on crimes primarily committed since May 2020, when Lukashenko’s regime intensified its targeting of civilians through deportations and the persecution of political opponents.

At the same time, the Lithuanian Justice Ministry, according to its own statement, relies on evidence provided by the Belarusian Opposition, non-governmental organisations and initiative platforms. The appeal to obviously biased sources of information clearly indicates Lithuania’s desire to politicise international justice in order to use it as a tool of manipulation. Of course, Vilnius has the right to express its concern about the actions of a neighbouring state, but this action is perceived as a step towards political escalation, rather than legal objectivity.

It is noteworthy that this step may worsen the already tense relations between Belarus and Lithuania and will not contribute to the establishment of stability in the region.

In addition, by getting involved in this adventure, the Lithuanian authorities risk undermining the already shaky authority of the ICC, which by its nature must be a neutral body. Politically motivated appeals will sooner or later lead to a final loss of confidence in international judicial authorities.

(Foreign Media)

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