Right of Reply to the statement by Belarus during the 9th plenary meeting of the GA 2nd Committee
Delivered by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Latvia Mr Oļegs Iļģis on behalf of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia
9 October 2026
Chair,
I am taking the floor on behalf of Estonia, Lithuania, and my own country Latvia to exercise the right of reply in reaction to the statement by Belarus. We would like to shed light on how Belarus is weaponizing migration and waging hybrid attacks on its neighbors.
For more than 5 years, Latvia and Lithuania, have been exposed to deliberate instrumentalization of migrants by Belarus, to undermine our territorial integrity and national security.
The Belarus regime is escalating its hybrid campaign. This year alone, Latvia has prevented around 12 thousand illegal crossings. This week, on 5 – 6 October, the National Armed Forces of Latvia encountered deliberate and organised facilitation of illegal migrants from Belarus. A group of at least 20 migrants, escorted by masked individuals, attempted to illegally cross Latvia’s border. Latvian National Armed Forces prevented the attempted crossing.
Similar cases take place across other EU external borders with Belarus. Let me underline that protecting our external borders is our European responsibility.
Colleagues,
This is what instrumentalization of migration by Belarus looks like.
We condemn the deliberate exploitation of vulnerable people by Belarus to exert political and physical pressure on its neighboring states and the European Union. The Lukashenka’s regime cynically exploits thousands of vulnerable people from Africa, the Middle East and Asia, luring them to Belarus and facilitating their dangerous journey to Europe. Belarus’ actions openly disregard the international human rights order and facilitate that these people become victims of exploitation, trafficking, and smuggling.
Lithuania has also brought proceedings against Belarus before the International Court of Justice concerning the alleged breaches by Belarus of the Protocol against smuggling of migrants.
We call on Belarus to end these practices and respect its obligations under international law, and we encourage all UN member states to join this call.