Lithuania and UN intensify cooperation in combating crimes of sexual violence in armed conflicts
The international community must do more to combat sexual crimes in war zones and to help survivors of such violence, said Government Chancellor Giedrė Balčytytė on Wednesday at a meeting with the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General’s (UNSG's) Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten.
Lithuania has already taken efforts in this regard and is ready to continue cooperating with the UN and other countries in the pursuit of justice and in providing assistance to the victims,’ said Giedrė Balčytytė.
The parties also explored specific initiatives for joint implementation, such as enhancing the capacity of officials working with victims and addressing the matter of disclosing the perpetrators of crimes.
‘For too long, crimes of a sexual nature have been overlooked among the multiple atrocities in wars, and it is only recently that we have begun to better understand their long-term traumatic impact on the mental health of victims, and to recognise that men and boys are often victims too. Russia’s war against Ukraine is a horrific example of how sexual violence has become a tactic of war widely used against civilians,’ the Chancellor noted.
‘Lithuania is providing assistance to refugees from Ukraine that are victims of sexual violence. We are aware of the scale of the problem, and we see the importance of the United Nations’ efforts to help the victims and to bring those responsible to justice. We are committed to contributing by leveraging our experience and capabilities most efficiently and effectively’, added Giedrė Balčytytė.
At the meeting, UNSG Patten thanked the Government for mobilising international partners and for the forum organised this week by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour to discuss protection and assistance to victims of sexual violence and preventive measures at national and global level.
Lithuania, which has been raising the issue of sexual violence and the accountability of perpetrators at the international level since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, continues its efforts to help victims of such crimes. As the Chancellor of the Government pointed out, Lithuanian NGOs are also showing initiative and willingness to cooperate. An illustrative example is the project Comprehensive Assistance to Ukrainian Victims of Sexual Violence, currently being implemented by the Centre for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Exploitation together with the Ministry of Social Security and Labour.
Lithuanian authorities have already identified 65 cases of sexual violence committed by Russia against Ukrainian war refugees who later resettled and are currently living in Lithuania.
The Special Representative also thanked Lithuania for its contribution to the UN Action on Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action), led by Pamila Patten. At the beginning of the year, Lithuania contributed EUR 50,000 to the network, with a further EUR 30,000 planned for this year.