Statement by the Republic of Lithuania at the General Assembly High-Level Meeting “Tenth Anniversary of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime”
Statement by the Republic of Lithuania at the General Assembly High-Level Meeting “Tenth Anniversary of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime” on Tuesday, 9 December 2025.
Madam President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
It is an honour to address the General Assembly as we mark the tenth anniversary of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime.
While aligning with the statement made by the European Union and its Member States, I speak today in my national capacity.
We remember the victims of genocide and other atrocity crimes. Behind every statistic are lives lost, families broken, and survivors carrying painful memories. Twenty years after the UN World Summit adopted the Responsibility to Protect, we must renew our commitment to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity - and to ensure justice for victims everywhere.
Genocide does not appear suddenly. It is preceded by warning signs: nationalism, hate speech, xenophobia, racism, and above all, dehumanization. These signals must be recognized and acted upon. And let us be clear: genocide can happen even in our own neighbourhoods. It can target the most vulnerable - especially children - when one group is indoctrinated, transferred, forcibly assimilated or even threatened with erasure.
In today’s digital age, hatred spreads rapidly online. Disinformation and propaganda amplify divisions, distort truth, and fuel hostility. Digital hatred does not remain virtual - it can contribute to indoctrination, shaping minds, especially of the young, and normalizing violence against entire communities. Dehumanization in the digital space can become the seed of real‑world atrocity crimes.
Attempts to commit genocide, conspiracy, and incitement are not isolated acts - they are expressions of genocidal intent. This intent can take many forms: the forced transfer of children, the indoctrination of populations under occupation, or efforts to erase the identity of entire groups.
International institutions and courts must remain vigilant. They must review and refine the thresholds for determining genocide, taking into account these new and insidious forms of genocidal intent. Justice must adapt to reality so that perpetrators cannot disguise their aims and victims are not left unprotected.
We must also be firm: the allegations of the crime of genocide cannot be instrumentalised. It cannot be misused as a pretext for aggression or the illegal use of force. Only independent and impartial courts can determine whether genocide has occurred.
Lithuania reaffirms its unwavering commitment to international justice - to the International Criminal Court and to the International Court of Justice. Together, these courts are the backbone of accountability: the ICC prosecutes perpetrators of the gravest crimes, while the ICJ settles disputes between states and ensures the binding application of international law.
Their role is indispensable. Justice for victims, accountability for perpetrators, and the defence of the international legal order all depend on them. By holding perpetrators to account, these courts not only deliver justice - they also deter future crimes and violations of international law and help prevent recurrence. Ignoring their rulings or undermining their authority weakens the very foundations of peace and stability that we strive to uphold.
Madam President,
Let our commemoration be more than remembrance; let it be a solemn pledge to prevent, to punish, and to deter - so that the crime of genocide, in all its forms, will never be allowed to recur.
Thank you.
