Lithuania has referred hard-line Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, government members, and security and military officials to the International Criminal Court, accusing them of committing crimes against humanity by forcing their own people to flee the country.

Lithuania requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday to investigate neighbouring Belarus over alleged crimes against humanity under the rule of authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

The Lithuanian justice ministry said earlier in the day it was asking the ICC "to open an investigation... into the crimes against humanity committed by Lukashenko's regime - forced deportation, persecution of persons and other cruel behaviour which is contrary to the main norms of international law".