<
https://tm.lrv.lt/en/news/lithuania-refers-the-situation-in-belarus-to-the-prosecutor-of-the-international-criminal-court-to-investigate-the-crimes-against-humanity-committed-by-the-authoritarian-regime-of-lukashenko/>
"1. The Government of the Republic of Lithuania, pursuant to Articles 13(a) and
14 of the Rome Statute, on 30 September 2024, referred to the International
Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) the situation in the Republic of Belarus for
investigation by the Office of the Prosecutor of the Court.
2. In its referral, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania stated that
there were reasonable grounds to believe that since 1 May 2020, and continuing,
crimes against humanity - including deportation, persecution and other inhumane
acts - have been carried out against the civilian population of Belarus, at the
behest of senior Belarusian political, law enforcement and military officials,
and that part of the element of these crimes was committed on the territory of
Lithuania, bringing such crimes temporally, territorially, and materially (by
subject-matter) within the jurisdiction of the Court. It was also reasonable to
believe that part of the elements of these crimes was committed, and continues
to be committed, on the territory of other States Parties. The requirements for
admissibility and the interests of justice were manifestly met.
3. The rationale and basis for the referral is as follows. Since May 2020,
President Lukashenko, together with the senior leaders of the government
including the military, state security, law enforcement, judiciary and other
agents of the Republic of Belarus (collectively, the ‘Belarusian regime’) have
waged a campaign against the civilian population of Belarus which has included,
the following underlying unlawful acts: serious deprivation of fundamental
rights; arbitrary detention, prosecution, and conviction; serious unlawful
violence; unlawful killings; sexual violence; physical and mental harm;
torture, inhuman and degrading treatment; intimidation and harassment; forced
labour; and enforced disappearance among several others. This campaign has been
waged against the civilian population in Belarus, and specifically real or
perceived political opponents. The conduct of the Belarusian regime amounts to
a widespread and systematic attack on the civilian population, pursuant to a
State policy to eliminate all opposition and dissent."
Via Susan ****
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
