Baltic statement at UNSC Arria-formula meeting on Ukraine

UN Security Council Arria-formula meeting: “Violations of international humanitarian law against Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees”

Statement delivered by H.E. Mr. Rytis Paulauskas, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Lithuania to the United Nations

13 January 2025, New York

 

President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the three Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia, and my own country, Lithuania. We also align ourselves with the Statement of the European Union.

We extend sincere gratitude to the Delegations of the United Kingdom and Ukraine for convening this important meeting which we are glad to co-sponsor. We thank the briefers for sharing their invaluable perspectives. Their testimonies are deeply distressing and shed light on the brutal violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law by the Russian Federation.

This meeting on violence against Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees, as well as numerous other meetings addressing the suffering of Ukrainian civilians portray the harsh reality of the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which is in violation of the UN Charter and international law.

Russia’s use of military aggression and committing war atrocities, including the heinous treatment of prisoners of war and civilians, follows the pattern of Soviet crimes against many states and nations including the Baltic States.  Today we commemorate events of 1991, the very last year of Soviet Union’s existence, when on January 13, 1991, armed Soviet forces encircled and stormed the television tower and building in Vilnius and on January 20th attacked the Interior Ministry in Riga.

20 people were killed and thousands have been injured and traumatized by these brutal attacks.  We will never forget those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom and will continue seeking full accountability for those who have committed those crimes.

President,

According to the findings of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, Human Rights Council and Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine the torture of civilians and prisoners of war from Ukraine by Russia is both widespread and systematic.

In its last report, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine concluded that Russian authorities have acted pursuant to a policy encouraging torture against civilian and prisoners of war and have thereby committed torture as a crime against humanity. Furthermore, war crime of torture has been committed in the context of detention, often in conjunction with other crimes and human rights violations, such as unlawful confinement, willful killings, sexual and gender-based violence and denial of medical assistance. Extensive sexual violence as a brutal form of torture has been prevalent in detention facilities controlled by Russian authorities, and the general absence or denial of medical assistance in such contexts is a commonly observed issue.

In this regard, we call on Russia to implement the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners—the so-called Mandela Rules—by respecting the dignity and rights of detainees and ensuring access to adequate medical assistance.

Point-blank execution of prisoners of war is another cruel practice that shows no sign of slowing down. According to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, there are currently over 53 criminal investigations on the execution of at least 177 Ukrainian soldiers, most of them occurring in 2024. This constitutes a war crime under the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute. All those committing such crimes should be held accountable.

We demand that Russia grants unhindered access to all UN human rights special procedures mandate holders, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture in accordance with its obligations under international humanitarian law.

We call for a more active role of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and urge Russia to ensure access for their representatives to detention facilities.

We also encourage World Health Organization working with the UN and such NGO’s as Doctors Without Borders to develop rehabilitation programs for former POW’s to support their recovery.

President,

This imperialist war of aggression should never have been started by Russia and the prisoners of war and civilian detainees should never have been taken. Sadly, confronted by this situation, we commend and welcome the efforts and assistance of many Member States, lately of the United Arab Emirates, who have contributed to and facilitated negotiations on prisoner exchange.

We also positively acknowledge the announcement of a preliminary agreement on systematic prisoner exchanges starting this year, with priority to return seriously ill and wounded soldiers.  We call on Russia to implement this arrangement while our upmost priority remains that Russia withdraws its troops from the internationally recognized territories of Ukraine, respects the UN Charter and ends this war of aggression.

Building on our ongoing support provided to wounded warriors and civilians, which last year amounted to over a 100 million euros, we stand ready to assist Ukraine in facilitating the return to Ukraine of prisoners of war, illegally deported children and unlawfully detained civilians.

The Baltic States will continue supporting Ukraine’s Peace Formula as the only viable way to restore just and lasting peace. We will stand with Ukraine until its victory, in our joint resolve to end Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression and to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

It is ironic, that at the same time as Russian ambassador is inviting all UN member states to reception dedicated to WW2 blockade of Leningrad, Russia’s aggressor forces are encircling Ukraine town Pokrovsk. This only illustrates Russia’s manipulative and selective interpretation to history attempting to divert the attention from their aggression against Ukraine.

We reiterate a call on Russia to respect its obligations under international law, including the UN Charter, as well as international humanitarian law and human rights law, and to cease its war of aggression against Ukraine immediately.

I thank you.