On September 30th, Lithuania referred Belarus to the International Criminal Court (I.C.C.) on the allegations of human rights abuses against Belarusian nationals who oppose the Lukashenko regime. The Chief Prosecutor of the I.C.C., Karim Khan, has confirmed to Reuters that he will begin a preliminary investigation into these allegations within the scope of the International Criminal Court. Alexander Lukashenko has ruled Belarus for the past 30 years and despite the condemnation of fraudulent elections in August of 2020, is unlikely to stop consolidating power or cede the presidency. Lithuanian officials allege that the regime and its military have committed offenses such as deportation, unlawful imprisonment, impunity, and torture. Lukashenko is a close ally of Valdimir Putin’s and has supported the Russian offensives in Ukraine. These domestic and international policies triggered an outmigration of Belarusians into the surrounding region, but the majority of migrants fled into Lithuania due to its close proximity to Belarus. Lithuanian officials posit that the actions undertaken within the Lukashenko regime against Belarusian nationals constitute crimes against humanity and called for the I.C.C. investigation to hold Lukashenko responsible and stop the growing Belarusian refugee and humanitarian crisis in the Baltics.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is the oppositional candidate from the August 2020 elections who is widely recognized as being the legitimate leader of Belarus. Tsikhanouskaya fled Belarus for Lithuania following the elections. A.P. News quotes Tsikhanouskaya as supporting the referral of Belarus to the I.C.C., saying, “the crimes committed by this regime, from forced deportations to illegal arrests and torture, cannot go unpunished. Lithuania’s courage gives us hope that the world is finally holding the regime accountable for its atrocities. This is not just about justice for Belarus – it is about justice for all who value democratic peace.”

Lithuania’s referral of Belarus to the I.C.C. was a monumental development in the quest for peace and protection of democracy worldwide. This was a bold and unprecedented move by Lithuania given the power and violent methods of the Lukashenko regime, in addition to its ties to Russia. The commitment to peace despite the security concerns that could come along with such an action demonstrates a critical effort Lithuania is taking in restoring democracy and easing tensions in the Baltics. In addition, Karim Khan’s willingness to immediately investigate the claims of human rights abuses and the intentionality with which he is approaching the allegations will serve to provide accountability for the crimes Lukashenko and his regime have perpetuated. The continuance of this investigation and the appropriate repercussions, should the human rights abuses be substantiated, will prove the validity of international organizing bodies in protecting their signatories while simultaneously re-establishing democracy in Belarus and demonstrating the dedication of the international community to the interests and security of the Belarusian people.

Alexander Lukashenko began his first term of presidency in 1994 and since then has consolidated power and developed a regime that has oppressed human rights for Belarusians and played an instrumental role in Russia’s offensive against Ukraine. The human rights conditions in Belarus have been under investigation since at least 2020 when 65,000 people were arrested due to affiliations with the Belarusian opposition party. Reuters reports that the United Nations (U.N.) was investigating Belarus’ politically motivated, systemic abuses towards civilians. Both the Belarusian Permanent Mission to the U.N. and Lukashenko himself have vehemently denied the validity of these claims while explaining away the abuses as a Western-conspiracy to deface Belarus to the U.N. and Human Rights Council. Thus, the Lithuanian call to action and the rapidity with which the I.C.C. has begun proceedings is an unprecedented commitment to the investigation and thereby resolution of crimes against humanity in Belarus.

Lithuania and the I.C.C. are responsibly proceeding in investigating the alleged human rights abuses present in Belarus. Belarus has been under control of an authoritarian leader for the past 30 years who has tampered with elections and been accused of crimes against humanity against Belarusian citizens who voted for any form of opposition. This precipitated an outmigration of Belarusians for fear of political persecution and personal security issues which has strained Lithuania and other surrounding countries while also triggering concern over civilian conditions in the country. Chief Prosecutor Khan must continue to treat this issue with gravity and hold Lukashenko responsible should any atrocities be corroborated. This will serve to re-establish democracy and human rights in Belarus while also allowing those who fled the country out of fear to return home.