Lithuania Takes Belarus To Top UN Court Over Alleged Migrant Smuggling

On May 19, 2025, the Government of Lithuania filed a case against Belarus before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), with regard to a dispute relating to alleged breaches by Belarus “of its obligations under the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (the Protocol), in relation to the large-scale smuggling of irregular migrants from Belarus into Lithuania. The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. The ICJ has a twofold role: first, to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States; and, second, to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized United Nations organs and agencies of the system.

According to the information submitted to the ICJ, Lithuania alleges that Belarus has breached “many of its obligations under the Protocol by: facilitating, supporting, and enabling the smuggling of migrants, and also failing to take necessary border measures to prevent and detect the smuggling of migrants and to ensure the security and control of documents; failing to exchange information to prevent, detect, and investigate the smuggling of migrants, strengthen cooperation with Lithuania’s border control agencies, and cooperate in the field of public information to prevent potential migrants from falling victim to organized criminalized groups; and failing to preserve and protect the rights of migrants and afford them appropriate assistance.”

As indicated by Lithuania, since 2021, the country has faced an unprecedented surge in irregular migrants crossing from Belarus. As indicated by Lithuania, evidence collected by Lithuanian authorities shows that Belarusian state-owned entities increased flights from the Middle East and other regions, arranged visas, and provided accommodation for arriving migrants. Lithuania further submitted that upon arrival in Belarus, many migrants were escorted by Belarusian security forces to the Lithuanian border and pressured or forced to cross illegally, often under dangerous and life-threatening conditions.

Lithuania explained that despite repeated requests for cooperation, Belarusian border agencies have refused to work with Lithuania to stop these illegal crossings. Lithuania alleges that these actions as a deliberate attempt by the Belarusian regime to use migration as a tool of political pressure against Lithuania and the European Union, in response to their support for Belarusian democracy and sanctions against human rights violations.

Despite extensive negotiations, Lithuania and Belarus have been unable to resolve their dispute over Belarus’ alleged violations of the Protocol. This is also why Lithuania instituted the proceedings before the ICJ, to resolve the dispute and to hold Belarus fully accountable under international law, if the violation is established.

Minister of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania, Mr Rimantas Mockus, commented: “Lithuania is prepared to demonstrate its legal leadership by asserting its rights under international law through decisive action. (…) The Belarusian regime must be held legally accountable for orchestrating the wave of illegal migration and the resulting human rights violations. Such legal actions not only address the immediate harm but also help establish important interpretations of international law that serve the common interest of the global community, deterring Belarus and other states from committing similar violations in the future.” Head of Legal Representation at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania, Mr. Ričard Dzikovič, added: “Lithuania’s commitments to democracy, the rule of law and peace are not only on the political agenda, but also in taking real legal actions against those who do not respect international law, do not comply with treaties or commit crimes.”

Over recent years, Lithuania has led important initiatives pertaining to upholding the international rules-based order, including investigating and prosecuting crimes committed by Russia in its war against Ukraine. Furthermore, in September 2024, the Government of Lithuania requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged international crimes in Belarus. Other States should follow the example of Lithuania and play a more proactive role in seeking justice and accountability for international crimes.