Lithuania Calls on ICC to Investigate Belarus for Human Rights Violations

Lithuania's justice ministry has called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Belarus for alleged human rights violations, including forcible deportation and persecution of its citizens. Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya supported the action, highlighting the regime's atrocities and the forced exodus of around 300,000 Belarusians.

Lithuania has urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Belarus for what it describes as 'forcible deportation, persecution, and other cruel behaviour' against its citizens.

The Lithuanian justice ministry's move received immediate backing from exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. 'The crimes committed by this regime, from forced deportations to illegal arrests and torture, cannot go unpunished. Lithuania's courage gives us hope that the world is finally holding the regime accountable for its atrocities,' Tsikhanouskaya said.

She pointed out that around 300,000 Belarusians had fled their country, highlighting that one in every thirty residents now lives in exile. Tsikhanouskaya left Belarus after running against Alexander Lukashenko in a disputed 2020 presidential election, which triggered large-scale protests and arrests. Lithuania's justice ministry emphasized that Belarus's actions directly impacted Lithuania's security.

(With inputs from agencies.)