17 April, New York. “Widespread and gross human rights violations are being committed by the state almost on an industrial scale. In many instances, as stated by the Commission of Inquiry, the violations in North Korea constitute grave crimes against humanity”, - said Ms. Rita Kazragienė, Deputy Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nations, during the Arria formula meeting of the Security Council on the Commission of Inquiry report on human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea).

16 April, New York. “Crimea’s annexation and now the destabilization of eastern Ukraine is not about the protection of Russian speaking minorities or alleged Ukraine’s radical extremism. It is about obstructing and preventing the May 25 elections”, - said Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaitė, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nations, delivering a statement in the United Nations Security Council meeting on the human rights situation in Ukraine.

On 15 April in Paris, the Political Director of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry Dalius Čekuolis met with the Political Director of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jacques Audibert. The meeting focused on events in Ukraine, as well as relations with Russia in light of the Ukrainian crisis.

When discussing issues on the United Nations (UN) Security Council agenda, J.Audibert pointed out that France very highly appreciated Lithuania’s contribution to the provision of logistical assistance to the French-led Operation Sangaris, sanctioned by the UN Security Council, in the Central African Republic (CAR).

Statement by Raimonda Murmokaitė, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the United Nation

UN Security Council briefing Threat to International Peace and Security: Prevention and Fight against Genocide

16 April, 2014

I would like to thank you, Madame President, for organising today’s briefing on the prevention of and fight against genocide. I also thank Ambassador Colin Keating for his statement. 

As we mark the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda, this briefing is an opportune occasion to reflect on the lessons drawn and applied, or failed to apply since this horrendous tragedy took place.  

On 15 April, in New York, H.E. Ms. Raimonda Murmokaitė, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Lithuania to the United Nations, and H.E. Mr. Vandi Chidi Minah, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the United Nations, signed the Joint Communiqué on the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Sierra Leone.