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National Statement of the Republic of Lithuania delivered by H.E. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Rytis Paulauskas at the Third Committee: General Debate on Thursday, 9 October 2025.

Thank you, Mr./Madam Chair,

Lithuania aligns itself with the EU statement.

At the outset allow us to thank the Special Procedures mandate holders for their vital work in monitoring and reporting on human rights situation globally, and advocating for accountability for human rights violations and abuses, especially as the world faces multiple crises.

In order to properly address these crises, our concerted efforts are necessary to review and revitalize the UN. The UN80 initiative provides an important opportunity to translate the slogan Promoting and protecting human rights for all into tangible and concrete action. Sustainable financing of UN human rights mechanisms and ensuring their effectiveness will help make the entire UN system stronger and more efficient.

Lithuania has always been committed to upholding the universality, indivisibility, interdependence, and interrelatedness of all human rights. The ongoing human rights crises in Syria, Myanmar, DPRK, Iran and elsewhere show us that efforts to protect and promote fundamental freedoms must be strengthened.

Our aim to end impunity and ensure accountability for perpetrators must remain a central focus, especially when certain international actors, including a permanent member of the Security Council, continue to blatantly violate the UN Charter and inflict immense human suffering.

The fourth year of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues in complete disregard for international law. Deliberate attacks against civilians have already claimed thousands of lives, including children. In addition to horrors of war – loss of life, loss of family members, sexual abuse by Russian military forces documented in the latest reports of the Secretary General on Conflict Related Sexual Violence– the children of Ukraine have also faced forced deportation and illegal transfer to Russia or its accomplice Belarus and illegal adoptions with a genocidal aim to erase their national identity.

In occupied territories, Ukrainian children are militarised in schools and recreation camps where they receive political indoctrination aimed at preparing them for service in the armed forces of the aggressor - Russia. Ensuring the safe return and well-being of deported Ukrainian children remains one of Lithuania’s top priorities.

As confirmed in the OHCHR periodic reports on the human rights situation in Ukraine, Ukrainian prisoners of war continue to face torture, ill-treatment, including sexual violence, dire detention conditions and executions, while Russia’s propaganda and imperialistic narratives flow relentlessly. In this vein, we call on all states to vote “yes” and co-sponsor the annual resolution entitled “Situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol”, presented by Ukraine.

Lithuania is also deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the unacceptable number of civilian casualties. Lithuania reiterates its condemnation of the terrorist attacks committed by Hamas two years ago. Lithuania calls for the respect of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in the whole Occupied Palestinian Territory. Hunger is totally unacceptable. We continue to call for an unimpeded and safe access of humanitarian assistance. We support the Danish initiative to evacuate the Palestinians from Gaza for medical treatment in the West Bank. Lithuania welcomes US President Trump’s initiative to ending the war and restoring peace, stability, and security in the Middle East. We urge Hamas to accept this proposal, lay down the arms, and release all hostages.

The human rights situation in Russia continues to deteriorate. Politically motivated persecutions and widespread disinformation campaigns suffocate any remaining dissent and are used to justify and rally support for outward aggression.

Even the UNGA resolutions are being misused by Russia. Together with our EU and other partners, Lithuania strongly opposes Russia’s resolution on combating glorification of Nazism. We remain firmly committed to combating racism, antisemitism, islamophobia, and all forms of intolerance. Yet, this resolution is a cynically attempt to justify Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to distort the historical truth, including about the occupation of the Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. During the occupation and annexation, the Soviet Union carried out widespread repressions against the population, suppressing democratic freedoms, national identities. Soviet regime practiced mass deportations and comprehensive ideological control. More than 130 000 Lithuanian civilians [about 5 per cent of the population], 70 percent of which women and children, were deported to remote regions of the Soviet Union. This historical context highlights the ongoing Russian efforts to rewrite history. Lithuania, alongside its Baltic and European partners, will continue to stand firmly against such distortions and defend the truth about our shared past.

Those responsible must be held to account and we must be more determined, because only accountability can ensure non-recurrence. Therefore, Lithuania strongly supports the recent establishment of the Special Tribunal to prosecute Russia for its crime of aggression against Ukraine. History has shown repeatedly that impunity only perpetuates the vicious cycle of violence.

Lithuania remains gravely concerned about the ongoing systemic human rights violations in Belarus, which amount to crimes against humanity. International organisations continue to report the systematic eradication of civil society, politically motivated sentences leading to degrading conditions of detention, and the systematic use of torture, including sexual and gender-based violence.

In recent years, Lithuania has experienced hybrid attacks, including the instrumentalization of migration flows deliberately orchestrated by Belarus. By encouraging migrants to enter Belarus and facilitating their illegal crossings, pushing them into neighbouring countries, Belarus is placing them in situations of heightened risk of human trafficking. Ironically, as in previous years, Belarus is putting forward its resolution on “Improving the coordination of efforts against trafficking in persons”. Lithuania will neither support nor participate in negotiations on this resolution, as the Belarusian authorities’ manipulative practices continue to expose migrants to the risk of human trafficking. Moreover, this year Lithuania has submitted an application to the International Court of Justice concerning the large-scale smuggling of irregular migrants from Belarus into Lithuania’s territory in violation of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto.

Lithuania also reiterates its concerns about the very serious human rights situation in China, especially in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Inner Mongolia and Tibet. As indicated by the OHCHR, the extent of arbitrary and discriminatory detentions of Uyghurs and other members of predominantly Muslim groups may amount to crimes against humanity. We remain alarmed by political re-education camps, widespread surveillance, systemic and severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion or belief. We urge China to respect, protect and fulfil universal human rights and cooperate with international human rights mechanisms, including all relevant Special Procedures mandate holders.

We strongly condemn the ongoing systemic violations of human rights in Afghanistan. Widespread gender-based discrimination remains a matter of grave concern. As we mark the 30^th anniversary of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, thousands of girls continue to be denied basic rights, including access to education and adequate healthcare, while women are deprived of the right to work, pursue higher education, or participate in public life. These abuses are compounded by overlapping humanitarian crises and widespread poverty, further worsening the situation for all.

Twenty-five years ago, the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security was adopted, recognizing the disproportionate impact of armed conflicts and crisis situations on women and girls. Yet the goal of achieving SDG 5 remains far from reality, as women in many regions continue to be excluded from any form of decision-making, security, and peacekeeping processes. Every day, the fundamental freedoms of women and girls are being challenged, with attempts to undermine the progress they have achieved. Therefore, Lithuania remains firmly committed to maintaining a strong focus on the rights of women and girls. Just a few months ago, we adopted our third National Action Plan, and we will continue to strongly support the Women, Peace and Security agenda at the national, regional, and international levels.

Those who seek the truth often become victims of violence in confrontations between opposing forces in armed conflicts. Journalists and media workers must be able to expose human rights abuses and other violations of international law without fear of intimidation and attacks, both online and offline. Amid ongoing armed conflicts around the world, Lithuania remains committed to ensuring the safety of journalists and media workers.

Lithuania continues to place strong emphasis on the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. We engage in reforms at home to ensure that persons with disabilities can fully enjoy all human rights and freedoms, meaningfully participating in all aspects of society. Additionally, to contribute to these efforts internationally and turn this commitment into tangible and concrete action, Lithuania has nominated a candidate to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for the term 2027–2030.

Mr./Madam Chair,

Lithuania remains a steadfast supporter of the UN human rights system, which is essential for addressing both ongoing and emerging human rights violations worldwide. We are committed to strengthening its mechanisms through UN80 reform and sustainable financing, ensuring accountability for violations, and safeguarding universal human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without discrimination.

Thank you.