YouSaid · the spoken record

Paulauskas

lines on the record: 102
first: 2022-01-18
most recent: 2023-12-07
sittings or episodes: 16
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“I also thank numerous Governments, including Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the aviation safety control institutions and equipment manufacturers for their engagement with the ICAO team and for providing it with an extensive amount of information and material in order to establish the facts and identify the relevant provisions in international air law instruments. We fully share ICAO’s assessment that, by forcing the Ryanair flight to land in Minsk, Belarus violated the Conventions for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation, also known as the Montreal Convention, and the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention.”
2022-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9175 (2022) · source
“We welcome the recent adoption by the ICAO Assembly of the resolution on the breach of the Convention on International Civil Aviation by the Republic of Belarus. Lithuania appreciates the initiative of the President of the ICAO Council to forward the fact-finding investigation report and the Council’s related decisions thereon to Secretary-General António Guterres for consideration of any appropriate actions. On behalf of my Government, I would like to express appreciation to the ICAO Fact-Finding Investigation Team for its strenuous and diligent efforts, as well as its comprehensive analysis of the incident.”
2022-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9175 (2022) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank the delegations of Albania and the United States for requesting that the Security Council consider the incident in Belarus airspace involving Ryanair Flight FR-4978, under the agenda item “Threats to international peace and security”. Indeed, we regard this matter as a threat to international peace and security. Let us recall that on 23 May 2021, the lives of 122 persons of various nationalities who were on board the hijacked Ryanair aircraft were endangered by the Belarusian authorities. Let us also recall that the Security Council held its first meeting on the incident on 26 May 2021. I sincerely thank Mr. Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), for his comprehensive briefing.”
2022-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9175 (2022) · source
“Lithuania remains committed to the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda nationally, as well as to supporting and promoting its implementation internationally. Lithuania has continuously supported the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund since its launch in 2016. We also cooperate closely with non-governmental organizations focused on Ukrainian women’s rights with a view to providing humanitarian aid to respond to the needs of Ukrainian women and girls, both those in Ukraine and those displaced to other countries. We encourage all Member States to create and maintain a safe and enabling environment for all those who work for the protection and promotion of gender equality, including women peacebuilders, human rights defenders and advocates for gender equality, and to ensure that there is no place for impunity.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Evidence also shows that, in general, women human rights defenders are more likely to be targeted by State and non-State actors, including in the form of hate speech, harassment and sexual and gender- based violence. Women human rights defenders face additional and different threats compared to those faced by men, and once again such threats are shaped by entrenched gender stereotypes and ingrained social perceptions of women. As stated in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2022/740), such attacks are more likely to target women’s personal behaviour and moral conduct in order to belittle and shame them. We have to acknowledge that, despite the efforts of the international community, the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda must be strengthened at all levels around the globe.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Russia’s brutal and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine is causing yet another humanitarian crisis, which is disproportionately affecting women and girls. Ongoing sexual and gender-based violence and the growing number of reported cases of rape of Ukrainian women and girls must be investigated, and those responsible should be brought to justice. All forms of violence against women and girls, including sexual violence, are deeply rooted in cultural norms and gender stereotypes and indisputably play a role in fuelling gender-based discrimination, perpetuating gender inequalities and holding women back. That is a huge adaptive challenge to our societies and should be addressed through appropriate changes, while including all constituents and stakeholders in the dialogue.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“We also condemn Belarus for denying women many rights and freedoms guaranteed by international human rights law and for imprisoning women activists and human rights defenders, such as Maria Kolesnikova and Maria Rabkova, who led grass-roots movements protesting the fraudulent presidential elections in 2020. We are appalled by the Taliban’s systematic repression of women and girls of Afghanistan. Nearly 20 million Afghan women and girls are denied basic rights, such as the right to education and employment. Lithuania is also deeply concerned about reports of the women’s rights situation in Haiti, where armed gangs are widely using rape and other forms of sexual violence to instil fear and to punish, subjugate and inflict pain on local populations.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“However, despite the acknowledged fact that women are crucial to peace and security and despite their strong leadership at the forefront of protests against authoritarian leaders, women and girls all around the world are still facing suppression and being attacked and are still vastly underrepresented in public life. Most recently, Iran has been plunged into deep public unrest with the demonstrations and protests triggered by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. Iranian women in all their diversity are leading the change and demanding justice. The acts of violence and use of lethal force by the authorities against protesters and women human rights defenders are shocking.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Lithuania aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union and would like to add the following remarks in its national capacity. First, we thank Gabon for organizing this very important debate on the women and peace and security agenda, and we are grateful to all the briefers for their presentations, including Ms. Zahra Nader for her moving testimony. Gender equality is an essential factor in ensuring a country’s security and stability. There is evidence to suggest that the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in decision-making process offers a path to sustainable peace and conflict prevention.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Lithuania strongly condemns Russia for all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including war crimes. All atrocities and all violations must be thoroughly investigated, and all perpetrators must be held accountable. In Lithuania’s statement last year, we said that the report of 2020 (S/20021/437) should be a wake-up call and that the responsibility of protecting children, their dreams and their tomorrow lies on our shoulders (see S/2021/617, annex LII). We are clearly failing to live up to our commitments, as we are forced to add new armed conflicts to the list of children suffering.”
2022-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9096Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Children separated from their parents during a humanitarian emergency cannot be assumed to be orphans, and the Russian Federation must ensure that family reunification and the best interests of the child are the guiding principles. The unlawful transfer, deportation and adoption of Ukrainian children during and right after the war may constitute a breach of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Moreover, forcibly transferring children of one national group to another group is mentioned as one of the criteria of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, and can therefore be seen as a genocidal method. We urge Russia to unconditionally withdraw all its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine.”
2022-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9096Resumption1 (2022) · source
“We are very concerned about the growing evidence of violence perpetrated by the Russian military forces, including sexual violence, against children. Lithuania therefore expects that all violations against children by Russia will be duly documented and reflected in next year’s report. Lithuania is very concerned about reports that Russia is modifying its existing legislation to facilitate fast-track and simplified adoption procedures for forcibly transferred and evacuated Ukrainian children in Russia. Let me reiterate that UNICEF, as has been mentioned in the Council more than once, is of the view that that adoption should never occur during or immediately after emergencies.”
2022-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9096Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Since Russia launched its illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable aggression against Ukraine, we have seen that children are not exempt from being killed, injured or forced to flee. On the contrary, as UNICEF has stated, at least two children have been killed every day, with many more injured. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, more than 300 children have been killed and another 500 injured, mostly owing to the use of explosives in built-up urban areas. For nearly five months, Russia’s armed forces have been continuously attacking Ukrainian cities, intentionally targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, and killing and injuring thousands of civilians, including children. Russia must stop the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and attacks on civilian infrastructure.”
2022-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9096Resumption1 (2022) · source
“In particular, Lithuania is appalled at the fact that this year, once again, two types of violation showed a sharp increase: abduction, and rape and other forms of sexual violence, both rising by 20 per cent. That is utterly disturbing, especially given that sexual-violence cases are usually greatly underreported. Children with disabilities and displaced children were particularly vulnerable. We are also extremely concerned by the fact that next year’s report will be even worse and the number of children suffering from armed conflict will clearly grow. As already indicated in the report, the high intensity of Russia’s war in Ukraine will be added to the list of situations of concern.”
2022-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9096Resumption1 (2022) · source
“We have witnessed how cross-border conflicts and intercommunal violence have affected children, particularly in the central Sahel and Lake Chad basin regions. We have also witnessed how coups d’état and takeovers have aggravated the already difficult situation of children in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Myanmar and the Sudan. We all know that the impacts of armed conflict and violence are particularly devastating for children, with, inter alia, interruptions to education and health- care services and a heightened risk of conflict-related sexual violence. During the reporting period, the scale and severity of grave violations against children remained very concerning, including an increased number of children recruited and the use of children by parties to armed conflict.”
2022-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9096Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Lithuania aligns itself with the statement of the European Union and would like to deliver a statement in its national capacity. Lithuania would like to thank the Brazilian presidency of the Security Council for having organized this very important debate. We would also like to express our appreciation to the Special Representative, Ms. Virginia Gamba de Potgieter, and to the Executive Director of UNICEF, Ms. Catherine Russell, for their presentations. Special thanks go also to Mr. Patrick Kumi for his powerful story. The recent annual report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict (S/2022/493) reveals the unacceptable: nearly 20,000 children were affected by grave violations during the 2021 reporting period.”
2022-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9096Resumption1 (2022) · source
“We are committed to supporting the strategic communications of the United Nations in peacekeeping, including alongside the six concrete actions cited by the Secretary- General this morning, and especially through training and capacity-building on responding to misinformation and disinformation and on strategic communications in a digital environment. This is a multifaceted challenge that requires a multidimensional response, and Lithuania stands ready to contribute to our common interest in making United Nations peacekeeping more efficient and capable of addressing the needs of the twenty-first century.”
2022-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9090Resumption1 (2022) · source
“A reported increase in disinformation activities in Mali, including concerted efforts to deflect attention from atrocities reportedly committed by the Kremlin-linked Wagner Group, is not only sowing discord, confusion and seeding divisions in the increasingly volatile region, it has a direct impact on the safety and security of peacekeepers and undermines the implementation of MINUSMA’s mandate. We see strategic communications as one of the key tools at the disposal of the United Nations to address this ever-growing challenge. In that regard, we welcomed the 2021 Strategy for the Digital Transformation of United Nations Peacekeeping, as well as the Action for Peacekeeping Plus initiative, with strategic communications as one of its priorities.”
2022-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9090Resumption1 (2022) · source
“As many speakers have noted, that trend is particularly worrisome in Mali, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where various actors are increasingly using social media and other platforms to deliberately spread disinformation and incite hatred and violence. Just last week, members of the Security Council condemned yet another deadly attack on MINUSMA in Mali (see S/PV.9086). It is crucial to ensure that such attacks are swiftly investigated and their perpetrators brought to justice, including those who might have incited such attacks by spreading anti-United Nations narratives.”
2022-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9090Resumption1 (2022) · source
“As a troop-contributing country, with 45 Lithuanian peacekeepers currently serving in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), Lithuania is extremely concerned about the degrading effects of information manipulation and the threats posed by disinformation and misinformation in the context of peacekeeping operations. They could have long-term negative effects, including eroding communities’ perceptions of the credibility of peacekeeping and the legitimacy of the United Nations presence. Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in disinformation campaigns against the United Nations and United Nations peacekeeping operations.”
2022-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9090Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Today, as instability and conflicts increasingly challenge international security, the United Nations and the Security Council must step up their efforts to deal with new challenges and unconventional threats, and organizing this debate is a commendable example of the Council’s dedication to doing just that. The manipulation of information, including misinformation and disinformation, has long been part of the toolkit used by non-democratic States in times of conflict. As the Secretary-General rightly noted, today disinformation, misinformation and hate speech are increasingly being used as weapons of war. We are all witnesses today of how Russia is weaponizing disinformation to justify its unprovoked, full-scale and illegal invasion of Ukraine.”
2022-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9090Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Let me express our gratitude to the Brazilian presidency and to His Excellency Mr. Carlos Alberto Franco França, Brazil’s Minister for External Relations, for convening a Security Council debate for the first time on such an important subject. I would also like to thank Secretary- General António Guterres, Lieutenant General Affonso Da Costa, Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ms. Jenna Russo, Director of Research of the International Peace Institute, for their insightful remarks.”
2022-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9090Resumption1 (2022) · source
“It is important that we set the facts straight: it is the Russian blockade of Ukrainian ports and the Russian shelling of arable land and food storage sites in Ukraine — and not the Western sanctions — that are causing the food shortages. Let me reiterate that, amid that despicable war, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine. The Baltic countries will continue to provide strong support to Ukraine, including humanitarian and other material support, to withstand Russia’s aggression. Those who incite and commit atrocity crimes in Ukraine must and will be held accountable. We will continue to engage in accountability mechanisms to address the mass atrocities being committed in Ukraine.”
2022-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9069 (2022) · source
“The audience of Russian propaganda is twofold: Russian society and the global audience. The messages to Russian society seek to increase the hatred towards other nations, inviting and justifying violence and aggression. The independent media, journalists and media workers in Russia and Russian society are left in the abyss of the Russian propaganda, owing to heavy repression and the crackdown on civil society. Russia’s information manipulation and interference also has global effects. Russia’s aggression has been causing growing food insecurity in the world. Cynically, such actions are also accompanied by a global disinformation campaign that aims to deflect attention from Russia’s responsibility for destabilizing food markets and undermining global support for Ukraine.”
2022-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9069 (2022) · source
“We condemn those crimes in the strongest terms and urge Russia to immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. Russia’s bellicose rhetoric unveils its true imperialistic intentions. If there is no clear and strong international response to stop it, the aggression against Ukraine will be just the beginning. The Kremlin talks openly about land grabs and threatens to take back the territories of neighbouring countries. Russian authorities are directly inciting the public by funnelling and amplifying their propaganda through a controlled media and extreme censorship around the war. Highly influential political, religious and State-run media figures are used for propaganda and incitement to violence.”
2022-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9069 (2022) · source
“Russia’s authorities have not only denied the atrocities committed by its forces but also rewarded the soldiers suspected of mass killings in Ukraine, enabling soldiers to commit — and Russian society to condone — further atrocities, including mass executions; the killing of civilians; the shelling of residential areas, hospitals and kindergartens; the use of prohibited weapons; the destruction of critical infrastructure; sexual violence; the use of rape and torture as weapons of war; and forced deportations of civilians, including Ukrainian children, to Russia. All those atrocities display clear signs of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.”
2022-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9069 (2022) · source
“President Putin and Russian officials have been employing so-called mirroring tactics by accusing their victims of the very crimes they themselves are committing. False claims have been made that Ukraine had committed genocide or exterminated the civilian population in Russian-backed separatist-controlled areas, which was used as a pretext for invading Ukraine. Russian officials and State media have repeatedly invoked denazification as one of the main goals of the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine.”
2022-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9069 (2022) · source
“For years, Ukraine has been among the key targets of pro-Kremlin disinformation, which attempts to build justification for the Russian invasion. Furthermore, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has been guided by Russia’s highest officials, along with the use by the Kremlin-owned and Kremlin-controlled media of radical and toxic language to describe Ukraine and Ukrainians, leading to atrocities committed by Russian forces and their toleration by Russian society. High-level Russian officials and State media commentators have repeatedly denied the existence of a distinct Ukrainian identity. A range of false narratives have been employed that imply that those who identify themselves as Ukrainians threaten the unity of Russia or are Nazis, and are therefore deserving of punishment or even elimination.”
2022-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9069 (2022) · source
“I deliver this statement on behalf of the three Baltic States — Estonia, Latvia and my own State, Lithuania. I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this timely meeting. I also thank the briefers for the information they provided on this very important topic. We support all the United Nations efforts to take prompt and effective action in response to situations in which populations are at risk of atrocities or crimes are being committed. States have the responsibility to address and counter incitement to violence and mitigate the risk of atrocity crimes. Unfortunately, today we are witnessing Russia’s unprovoked, large-scale military aggression against the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the democratic State of Ukraine, with the support of the co-aggressor, Belarus.”
2022-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9069 (2022) · source
“Sadly, as the Secretary- General highlighted in his report (S/2022/272), impunity for conflict-related sexual violence remains widespread, signalling to survivors the world’s benign indifference. Impunity, together with stigmatization and deeply rooted stereotypes, is silencing victims and keeping the levels of conflict-related sexual violence underreported. We must ensure accountability for such atrocious crimes, whether in Syria, Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Afghanistan, Ukraine or any other part of the world. Holding the perpetrators to account — whether they are individuals, State actors or non-State actors — is essential to building inclusive democracy and fostering trust in national institutions, and it is the best way to prevent such crimes in the future.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016Resumption1 (2022) · source
“In that context, we fully support the investigation launched by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court into war crimes and crimes against humanity and the work of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. All of the investigations must fully encompass and address the gender-specific aspects. Conflict-related sexual violence should not be perceived as an inevitable consequence of war. It is a preventable and punishable crime under international human rights law, international humanitarian law and international criminal law. We already have a solid international framework for addressing those crimes, but its implementation needs work.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Many survivors experience negative long-term consequences and post- traumatic stress and are particularly vulnerable to discrimination and social stigmatization. Moreover, many women have little to no access to health-care services or gender-based violence support services. The sexual violence being perpetrated by the Russian army is motivated by various reasons, including the desire to punish the brave Ukrainian people, destroy their morale and break down their resistance. But it is a war crime, and Russia will be held accountable for it. All who are directly responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law on Ukrainian soil must and will be held accountable.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016Resumption1 (2022) · source
“For many reasons, including deeply rooted gender discrimination and inequality predating the conflict, women and girls continue to be targeted by weapons of war such as sexual violence, including rape. The mounting evidence shows that Russian soldiers are using rape as a deliberate tactic of war. We are horrified by the testimonies of gang rape, assaults at gunpoint and rapes being committed in front of children. There are also reports of minors being raped. In areas occupied by Russian military forces, women who have chosen not to evacuate or were unable to do so because of disability, caregiving obligations or their own preference are particularly at risk of sexual violence. The overall risk of gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as human trafficking, is also increasing.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Lithuania aligns itself with the statement to be delivered on behalf of the European Union and would like to add the following remarks in its national capacity. I would first like to thank Ms. Murad, Ms. Karkoutly and Ms. Berhanu for their very powerful messages. I also want to thank the United Kingdom team for organizing today’s timely and very important event. Since the first day of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war on independent Ukraine, it has been evident that Russia is directly attacking the civilian population and civilian objects, including hospitals, medical facilities, schools and shelters, and that it is committing atrocities and war crimes. As in any other war, women and children are the ones who are primarily affected and the most vulnerable.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016Resumption1 (2022) · source
“In response to the recent tensions, the European Union made clear in the December and January European Council conclusions that any further military aggression against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe costs, including restrictive measures to be coordinated closely with our transatlantic partners, We call on Russia to respect the principles of the United Nations Charter, de-escalate and engage in genuine dialogue. It is our duty as Members of the United Nations to defend the rules-based international system. The violation of its fundamental principles will have consequences for other parts of the world. The meeting rose at 12.10 p.m.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“The violation of such principles by Russia is an obstacle to a common and indivisible security space in Europe and threatens peace and stability in our continent. The times of limited sovereignty in Europe are long gone. Notions of spheres of influence have no place in the twentieth-first century. States have the freedom to choose or change their own security arrangements. No third country has a veto right over the sovereign choices of independent and democratic States.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“It is the aggressor, strengthening its security at the expense of others. Through its own actions in the Georgian breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the Transnistrian region and the illegal annexation of Crimea, Russia has contributed to a significant deterioration of the security environment in Europe. We reaffirm our full commitment to the core principles of international security enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the founding documents of the OSCE, including the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris for a new Europe, and others. That includes notably the sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States, the inviolability of frontiers and refraining from the use of force.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“We call on Russia to immediately stop fuelling the conflict by providing financial and military support to the armed formations that it backs and to withdraw Russian military troops and materiel from the eastern border of Ukraine and the Crimean peninsula. Despite all the diplomatic efforts, Russia further escalates and continues the military deployment around Ukraine’s borders. Moreover, Russian troops are deployed in Belarus as well. That adds up to the current escalation and is of direct concern to us. The Kremlin continues to use the false narrative that Russia is forced to defend itself from a threat, even as the opposite is true. It is Russia that is threatening Ukraine and other neighbours by positioning over 100,000 troops. Russia is not a victim, as it attempts to portray itself.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“We reiterate our full support for the efforts towards a peaceful and sustainable resolution of this conflict, namely, in the Normandy format, the Trilateral Contact Group and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), including its Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. Yet, despite all international efforts, until now we see little progress towards a resolution of this conflict. Ukraine’s constructive approach has not been reciprocated by Russia. We condemn Russia’s continued aggressive actions and threats against Ukraine and call on Russia to de-escalate the situation and abide by international law.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“We remain concerned over the increasing militarization of the peninsula and the severe deterioration of the human rights situation there. In that context, let me add that we welcome the establishment of the International Crimean Platform launched at the kick-off summit that took place on 23 August in Kyiv, and we support the implementation of its joint declaration. We invite other States Members of the United Nations to join that initiative as well. The conflict in Ukraine has claimed around 14,000 lives, displaced 1.5 million persons and resulted in countless suffering on both sides of the contact line in eastern Ukraine.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“Let me thank you, Madam President, for convening this meeting on such an important issue and for granting us an opportunity to speak. I deliver this statement on behalf of the Baltic States — Estonia, Latvia and my own country, Lithuania. First, let me reiterate my country’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We strongly condemn the clear violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity through acts of aggression by the Russian armed forces since February 2014. We do not recognize and continue to condemn the illegal annexation of Ukraine’s Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by Russia.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“Clearly it is up to the international community, and the Security Council in particular, to call out breaches of international humanitarian law. Cooperation between the development and humanitarian sectors, as well as support for humanitarian actors in the early stages of a conflict in addressing the critical needs of the population, can do much to ameliorate the immediate emergency and may even positively affect the direction of a conflict. Lithuania remains committed to strengthening the capacity of humanitarian actors to better prepare and respond to emergencies, in particular conflicts in urban settings.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Key infrastructure, such as water-pumping stations that serve communities, continue to be exposed to shelling. Entire villages have been without electricity for weeks. Mines and unexploded ordnance are an additional layer of risk for people living close to the line of contact. Too many families have lost loved ones or seen them severely injured while working in the fields, going to school or simply playing in the yard. Hundreds of people are still searching for their missing family members. Regretfully, despite all the diplomatic efforts, Russia further escalates and continues military deployments around the Ukraine borders in Crimea. Moreover, Russian troops are deployed in Belarus as well, so we find ourselves on the eve of another potential invasion, discussing how best to avert such a tragedy.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“They also suffer targeted attacks, intimidation, abductions, forced marriages and restrictions of movement based on their sex. People with disabilities are disproportionately impacted and experience even higher levels of risk in war zones. I would also like to note the situation in our region. Today Russia’s actions in eastern Ukraine do little to inspire confidence, except for the willingness of Russian-backed forces to comply with the principle of distinction. The region has seen indiscriminate and deliberate shelling, resulting in widespread damage to civilian infrastructure and property. Currently, nearly 4,000 civilians have been killed and 1.5 million internally displaced. The challenges faced daily by residents of eastern Ukraine — or along the line of contact — are significant.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“The particular challenges of combat in urban areas pose severe dangers to those civilians who are trapped in cities. The international community must be more outspoken in holding combatants up to the standards of international humanitarian law. That means condemning violations and finding political and practical solutions to protect civilians and civilian objects and ensuring that those responsible for any breaches of international humanitarian law be held to account. Special attention is needed to acknowledge the particular vulnerabilities of the groups that are sometimes overlooked. Armed conflicts have devastating impacts on children, who are especially vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and trafficking. Women and girls in conflict-affected areas can find themselves subjected to appalling levels of sexual and gender-based violence.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Lithuania sincerely thanks the Norwegian presidency for holding this important open debate. We also thank the Secretary- General, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the other briefers for their briefings. Lithuania aligns itself with the statement made on behalf of the European Union (EU). I would also like to make the following comments in my national capacity. We fully agree with those who have underlined that the scourge of urban warfare is a growing problem. The estimates that 50 million civilians worldwide are affected by fighting in heavily populated areas are evidence of the challenges faced in upholding international humanitarian law across the world. As noted in the EU statement, the responsibility for protecting civilians in cities rests predominantly with those who are fighting.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953Resumption1 (2022) · source
“We urge all Member States to create a safe and enabling environment for all those who protect and promote gender equality; fulfil the obligations to protect women peacebuilders, human rights defenders and advocates for gender equality; and hold perpetrators accountable. We strongly encourage all Member States, including members of the Council and the United Nations, to take measures to provide sustained support to women peacebuilders, human rights defenders and advocates for gender equality. The past couple of years have showed us that no progress made in ensuring gender equality can be taken for granted. The choices of today will affect our recovery, peace and stability for years to come, as well as the international community’s ability to prevent and respond to future crises.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949Resumption1 (2022) · source
“It has continuously provided financial support to the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund since its launch in 2016. We are also actively helping women from Belarus who, as mentioned in the Secretary-General’s report, were attacked, tortured or detained for their participation in protests. Brave Belarusian women, including former presidential candidate Mrs. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, have found a temporary home in Lithuania. We regard hosting exiled female opposition figures and their political teams in Lithuania as a contribution to the international women and peace and security agenda.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Lithuania is in the process of implementing the second instalment of its women and peace and security national action plan covering the period 2020 to 2024, which was drafted and implemented in close cooperation with Lithuanian civil society, including women’s organizations. This year we envisage a series of events on women’s inclusion in international peacebuilding and on the women and peace and security dimensions of the European Union Common Security and Defence Policy operations. The appointment of gender advisers at our national defence and police headquarters, an important element of our national action plan, is under consideration. Lithuania remains committed to implementing the women and peace and security agenda, both nationally and internationally.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Nevertheless, the numbers in terms of women’s representation in peace negotiations, mediation and other peacebuilding efforts remain very low. Women are frequently denied access to decision-making, and even when they are involved they are impacted by gender-based violence, including assault, threats, abuse and harassment, both online and offline. Women human rights defenders and journalists, who are pivotal in promoting sustainable peace, are killed, threatened and harassed. We do not even have the complete picture of women experiencing all forms of violence, as they are often hesitant and too scared to report it. We must be more determined to ensure the full, effective and accelerated implementation of the women and peace and security agenda. Our consistent efforts are required at every stage to prevent reversals and non-compliance.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949Resumption1 (2022) · source