At the UN Security Council debate, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the UN, Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaitė drew attention to the dangers of extinction of ethnic and religious minorities that had existed for millennia in the Middle East. They have been persecuted, forced to abandon their faith and killed. The Lithuanian ambassador emphasized that Lithuania was particularly concerned over the fate of Christians in the region, which may soon disappear altogether in the areas under terrorist control.

Ambassador Murmokaitė underlined that the ideology of terrorist organizations, such as ISIS (the Islamic State or Daesh), had nothing to do with faith. This is a dangerous terrorist organization that hides behind the mask of religion in order to achieve its criminal intent. Designs and methods for their activities have been significantly different from those of other terrorist groups so far. ISIS has mastered information technologies and social media as their tool for dissemination of violent propaganda and recruitment, enlisting fighters from around the world. It is essential that the international community should take all possible measures to destroy the networks of terrorists and to ensure that these violent perpetrators do not escape punishment for crimes against humanity. According to the Lithuanian Ambassador, the fight against impunity is a necessary condition for the protection and preservation of the cultural, historical religious diversity of the Middle East.

Ambassador Murmokaitė called for an effective application of existing international instruments in the fight against radical extremism and terror, insisting on the full implementation of Council resolutions on terrorist threats, including choking terrorists' financial support and ending recruitment. In order to succeed in the fight against the Islamic State, the Lithuanian Ambassador also said, the countries of the region must efficiently address the issues of marginalisation of individual groups, involvement of all walks of life, political participation, economic and social welfare issues, ensuring good governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

Lithuania, which will hold the presidency of the UN Security Council in May, intends to organise two open debates on the safety and security of journalists in conflict zones and the threat posed to civilians by small arms and light weapons.

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