At the beginning of the session, dignitaries representing more than 125 UN Member States, as well as by the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres; the President of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi; the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk and the President of the Human Rights Council Czech Ambassador, Vaclav Bálek will address the Council. On behalf of Lithuania, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Mantas Adomėnas will make a statement.
During his visit to Geneva M. Adomėnas will also participate in the commemorative event marking one year of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. On 2 March, Lithuania, in co-operation with the non-governmental organizations Human Rights House Foundation and the World Organization Against Torture, is organising a side-event on accountability for the international crimes and human rights violations in Belarus, where the Vice-Minister will deliver opening remarks. The Vice-Minister will also have meetings with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. Volker Türk, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Ms. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin and the Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas, as well as other bilateral meetings and participate in multilateral events.
The main priorities for Lithuania during this session will be the commemoration of the anniversary of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, highlighting the global consequences of the aggression and seeking accountability for all human rights violations, as well as constantly deteriorating human rights situation in Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Russia, China, Myanmar, Iran, Ethiopia, Afghanistan and other countries.
In terms of thematic priorities, Lithuania will emphasize the protection of the rights of the child, including in armed conflicts, rights of the human rights defenders, youth, persons with disabilities, women and girls, and environmental issues. Representatives of the Lithuanian Students' Union will attend and intervene during the Annual Discussion on the Rights of the Child, dedicated to the rights of the child and digital environment.
Lithuania will take part at the events organized by other countries, including on the accountability for human rights violations in Ukraine, negative impact of disinformation on human rights, human rights defenders, and children in military conflicts. Lithuania will also actively participate in negotiations on approximately forty resolutions of the Human Rights Council, as well as engage in coordination of European Union’s, Nordic-Baltic States, and the Lublin Triangle countries’ positions and statements.
The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations (UN) system, which consists of 47 member states. The Council was created by the United Nations General Assembly on 15 March 2006 with the main purpose of addressing human rights situations in different countries and thematic human rights issues, and making recommendations on them. Lithuania is a member of the UN Human Rights Council until the end of 2024.
