Baltic States condemned Russia's military actions in Ukraine at the 31st session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)
On May 16th, at the 31st session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna, Lithuania’s Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna, Ambassador Vaidotas Verba, speaking on behalf of Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – drew the attention of participants to Russia's military aggression in Ukraine.
In the joint statement, ambassador strongly condemned the open, large-scale, unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, an independent, sovereign and peaceful country, by the armed forces of the Russian Federation. He stressed that Russia grossly violates international law and the principles of the UN Charter as well as undermines European and global peace and security.
Ambassador pointed out that over 12 million people, mostly women and children, had to flee their homes since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. He reiterated that violations concerning the most fundamental human rights, such as targeted killings and torture of people of Ukraine, have been committed in the areas under effective Russian military control.
Moreover, there are reports on gender-based violence, such as rape, including group rapes, committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Minors and women have also been exposed to an increased risk of human trafficking, enforced disappearance and abduction of civilians, journalists and local officials were reported.
Ambassador Vaidotas Verba emphasized that Baltic States will continue to support the international investigation concerning alleged crimes of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine.
