On Monday, Lithuania accused Belarus of deliberately orchestrating a migrant crisis as its Foreign Ministry announced filing a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), writes Forbes.
Authorities gathered evidence that confirmed the Lukashenko regime’s “direct involvement in organising migrant flows” according to which migrants arrived on an increased number of flights organised by Belarusian state-owned businesses, who were then given visas and accommodation.
“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.”
The lawsuit describes Belarus violating the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime regarding obligations of signatory states by failing to cooperate with Lithuanian authorities, to facilitate its border and document controls, and protect migrant rights.
The disruption “has caused serious harm to Lithuania’s sovereignty, security, and public order, as well as to the rights and interests of the smuggled migrants themselves, who have been exposed to grave abuses in trying to reach Lithuanian territory.”
The Necessity of ICJ
The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, dedicated to settling disputes between states according to international laws, once the dispute is submitted by one. It also serves an advisory role on questions referred by United Nations organs and specialized agencies.
Lithuania reports having attempted to solve the issue bilaterally but Belarusian authorities “refused to collaborate.”
This led Lithuanian authorities to believe that this was “a deliberate attempt” and “a means of asserting political pressure on Lithuania and the European Union.”
Lithuania seeks full compensation and guarantees that there would be no more violations.
Lithuania as Democratic Champion
Lithuania has been an important voice of anti-Russian sentiment across Europe and have been championing initiatives to utilise the system of international laws to investigate Belarus’ crimes against humanity.
While the country is increasingly worried about a potential Russian invasion, it continues to support Ukraine militarily, as well as its refugees and their integration.
“The Belarusian regime must be held legally accountable for orchestrating the wave of illegal migration and the resulting human rights violations,” Lithuanian Justice Minister Rimantas Mockus said emphasising the importance of establishing these applications of international law to prevent similar violations in the future.
