Lithuanian politicians propose turning to international court over Crimean annexation

According to the leadership of the party, Lithuania could use its influence as a member of the UN Security Council.

“We suggest (…) initiating a UN General Assembly resolution with a specific question and an official request for the International Court of Justice to present its advisory legal opinion on the occupation and annexation of Crimea by Russia,” the Homeland Union’s letter to the Lithuanian president, prime minister and foreign minister states, signed by the party’s leader MEP Gabrielius Landsbergis and MPs Andrius Kubilius, Audronius Ažubalis and Rasa Juknevičienė.

“A clarification by the International Court of Justice would provide a legal basis for Ukraine and the international community to move further and take legal steps demanding compensation for damage as well as a trial for those responsible for gross violations of international law and human rights in occupied Crimea,” the letter says.

“We are convinced that as a member of the United Nations Security Council until 2016 and currently the presiding nation over the Council, Lithuania has an exceptional opportunity to use all leverage it has to initiate this request,” the letter writes.

The Homeland Union believes such a resolution would be adopted by the General Assembly by a simple majority, based on previous experience when the Assembly turned to the International Court of Justice over Kosovo’s independence declaration.