Lithuania accuses Belarus of crimes against humanity in 2023
- Lithuania has referred Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and his regime to the ICC, accusing them of crimes against humanity.
- The referral is based on allegations of deportation and persecution of civilians following the 2020 presidential election protests.
- This action is viewed as a crucial step towards justice for Belarus and offers hope to the opposition and exiled leaders.
In The Hague, Belarus' exiled opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, praised Lithuania's recent decision to refer Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and his regime to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity. This referral follows a severe crackdown on opposition groups in Belarus since the disputed 2020 presidential election, which resulted in widespread protests and the forced exile of hundreds of thousands of Belarusians. Lithuania's government claims there are reasonable grounds to believe that Lukashenko's regime has engaged in deportation, persecution, and other inhumane acts against civilians. The ICC's prosecutor has indicated that a preliminary investigation will be conducted to assess the validity of these claims. This move is seen as a significant step towards holding the Belarusian authorities accountable for their actions and providing hope to those opposing the regime, as many exiled leaders call for international support against the authoritarian government.