34/9 Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review - Lithuania

GE.16-22939(E)



Human Rights Council Thirty-fourth session

27 February-24 March 2017

Agenda item 6

Universal periodic review

Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review*

Lithuania

*

The annex is being circulated without formal editing, in the language of submission only.

United Nations A/HRC/34/9

Contents

Page

Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3

I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process ...................................................................... 3

A. Presentation by the State under review ................................................................................. 3

B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review .............................................. 6

II. Conclusions and/or recommendations ........................................................................................... 14

Annex

Composition of the delegation ...................................................................................................... 26

Introduction

1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance

with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-sixth session from 31 October to

11 November 2016. The review of Lithuania was held at the 6th meeting, on 2 November

2016. The delegation of Lithuania was headed by the Vice-Minister of Justice, Paulius

Griciūnas. At its 10th meeting, held on 4 November 2016, the Working Group adopted the

report on Lithuania.

2. On 12 January 2016, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of

rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Lithuania: El Salvador, Georgia and Qatar.

3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution

5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents

were issued for the review of Lithuania:

(a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with

paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/26/LTU/1 and Corr.1);

(b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High

Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b)

(A/HRC/WG.6/26/LTU/2);

(c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c)

(A/HRC/WG.6/26/LTU/3).

4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Mexico, the

Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain

and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Lithuania through the troika. These questions are

available on the extranet of the universal periodic review.

I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process

A. Presentation by the State under review

5. The delegation reaffirmed the commitment of Lithuania to the universal periodic

review as a unique procedure for the assessment of the human rights situation of every State

Member of the United Nations. The universality and inclusiveness of the review process

had reflected the nature of human rights. The delegation also reaffirmed the commitment of

Lithuania to the promotion and protection of human rights at the national and international

levels. Since regaining its independence from the former Soviet Union, Lithuania had

ratified all the core human rights instruments and ensured the compliance of its legislation

with international human rights standards. The recommendations received during the first

review had provided a positive impetus to the process of improving national legislation,

policies and programmes in the field of human rights and identifying remaining challenges

and possible solutions.

6. The national report had been prepared taking into account the status of

implementation of the recommendations from the first review and in consultation with civil

society. The Ministry of Justice, the coordinating body for the preparation of the national

report, had organized annual and thematic meetings of the national authorities and non-

governmental organizations (NGOs) to ensure a comprehensive dialogue with

representatives of civil society, who had provided in-depth analysis and suggestions

regarding the implementation of the recommendations. Additionally, the first draft of the

national report had been shared with NGOs and their feedback had been reflected in the

final report.

7. Lithuania had taken steps to ensure the effective participation of NGOs in decision-

making processes in the area of human rights. The newly established NGO Council had

been delegated to assist in achieving that objective. In 2013, the parliament had adopted a

law on NGOs with the aim of building a favourable environment for civil society

organizations and ensuring appropriate conditions for their activities. Since 2014, the NGO

Council, an advisory body consisting of representatives of State institutions and NGOs, had

been active in ensuring the engagement of civil society representatives in developing and

implementing policies relating to their activities.

8. There had been a number of positive developments since the first review, in 2011. In

2015, the Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office had applied for accreditation under the principles

relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human

rights (the Paris Principles). Since 2014, the Office had been acting as a national preventive

mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,

Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The new government Department of

National Minorities had started its activities in 2015 and was responsible for creating the

conditions for the inclusive participation of members of national minorities in the social,

political and cultural life of the country.

9. Lithuania had actively implemented its gender equality policy to combat

discrimination against women and had increased women’s participation in all levels of

governance. Gender equality had been also a priority issue in foreign policy. The President

of Lithuania had taken a lead among world leaders by personally engaging in the

strengthening of the protection and promotion of women’s rights. In September 2016, she

had chaired a high-level discussion during the seventy-first session of the United Nations

General Assembly on the economic cost of violence against women, at which several States

Members of the United Nations had made broad commitments to eliminate violence against

women. Equal rights and equal opportunities for every individual had been one of the

principal priorities of the National Programme on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men

2012-2016. The fourth such programme had been approved in 2015.

10. The Roma community continued to be the focus of the State policy on national

minorities, given that the Roma remained one of the most socially disadvantaged groups.

Four successive programmes for the integration of Roma into society, including the 2016-

2019 municipal programme for the integration of the Roma living in the Kirtimai settlement

in Vilnius, had been or were still being implemented to address the social exclusion,

education and health problems of the Roma, to preserve their culture and traditions and to

promote tolerance in society.

11. Furthermore, in 2015, the Government had approved the Inter-institutional Action

Plan on Non-Discrimination for 2015-2020 in order to reduce discrimination, ensure equal

opportunities, raise awareness and promote tolerance. The Baltic Pride Parade 2016,

organized by NGOs working on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex rights, had

been a positive development. Unlike in previous years, the Parade had been organized

without any obstacles, had attracted broad attention and had been attended by public

officials and Members of the Seimas. In the Human Rights Council, Lithuania had

supported the establishment of the mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against

violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2016, the

Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson, together with the National Equality and

Diversity Forum, had for the third time presented the National Equality and Diversity

Awards to people and organizations that had excelled in promoting equality and non-

discrimination. The awards marked an important milestone in awareness-raising and

fighting discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons in

Lithuania.

12. The newly adopted Labour Code incorporated the principle of gender equality and

non-discrimination and prohibited direct and indirect discrimination on various grounds,

including sexual orientation.

13. In October 2016, the Ministry of Education and Science had adopted a new

compulsory programme on health, sexuality and family life as a compulsory component of

primary and secondary education.

14. In addition to the information on the implementation of the Convention on the

Rights of Persons with Disabilities contained in the national report, the delegation indicated

that an action plan for the implementation of the recommendations made by the Committee

on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities had been adopted. Subsequently, a draft action

plan for 2016-2020 had been prepared. The Civil Code had been amended to introduce a

new approach in the assessment of the capacity of persons with disabilities and new

measures to provide them with support in decision-making. The underlying rationale of the

new law was that legal capacity should be preserved as much as possible and the required

support should be provided to all individuals in the exercise of their rights.

15. A draft law containing disability and age as prohibited grounds of discrimination

punished under the Criminal Code had been approved by the Government. The Code of

Administrative Offences, which would enter into force in 2017, included hatred as an

aggravating circumstance.

16. As a result of the 2015 reforms of the penitentiary system, there were no

establishments in which persons were deprived of their liberty that were overcrowded. The

prison population constituted 75 per cent of the total capacity of those establishments. The

Government had been renovating those institutions and had opened a new prison hospital.

17. Lithuania had been conducting strategic reforms in an effort to eradicate corruption

and had improved its score in the global Corruption Perceptions Index, scoring 61 in 2015,

as opposed to 50 in 2011. Since 2013, Lithuania had been actively participating in the

Working Group on Bribery of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and

Development and had been seeking full member status in the group.

18. The Government had committed to accepting more refugees from other European

Union member States. Within the framework of the European Union relocation and

resettlement scheme, Lithuania had agreed to accept 1,105 refugees. Migrants and refugees

from third countries who possessed a Lithuanian residence permit would be able to join the

labour market and integrate into public life, thanks to the social assistance and integration

measures that were in place. Additional funding had been allocated in the national budget

for 2017 to meet the needs of refugees.

19. The Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office had submitted its application for accreditation as a

national human rights institution in December 2015 after thorough consultations with

different stakeholders to assess whether legal amendments would be needed to ensure the

Office’s compliance with the Paris Principles. The date of the review of the application

would be scheduled in November 2016.

20. The Office had been designated as the national preventive mechanism pursuant to

the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. During the previous three years, it

had undertaken more than 120 visits to places of detention and had submitted more than

300 recommendations to State and municipal institutions concerning, inter alia, living

conditions in prisons, health-care services for detainees and prisoners, out-of-cell activities,

protection against ill-treatment and rehabilitation. The Office advocated for improvements

in conditions in mental institutions, including minimum living space for patients, the right

to privacy, registration of cases of physical restraint and analysis of complaints or requests.

The Office’s recommendations concerning social care institutions had led to an amendment

of the legislation on social services and an improvement in the quality of the services

provided. However, improvements were still needed in the quality of services provided to

people with disabilities.

B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review

21. During the interactive dialogue, 64 delegations made statements. Recommendations

made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report.

22. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela appreciated the ratification of the Convention

on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol during the period under

review and the availability of special services for persons with disabilities. It noted with

appreciation the reduction in illiteracy rates among the Roma and the increase in the

number of Roma children in primary school.

23. Afghanistan praised Lithuania for its ratification of the Optional Protocol to the

Convention against Torture and the International Convention for the Protection of All

Persons from Enforced Disappearance and its implementation of the fourth National

Programme on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men. Afghanistan also praised

Lithuania for surpassing many European countries in terms of equal wages for men and

women.

24. Albania commended Lithuania for continuing its cooperation with international

human rights protection organizations and for becoming a party to the International

Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the

Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. It invited Lithuania to strengthen its

human rights mechanisms.

25. Andorra welcomed the measures taken by Lithuania against domestic and gender-

based violence, including the signing of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing

and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention)

and the amendments made to the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes in 2015. It noted

the efforts made to improve the children’s rights protection system.

26. Argentina welcomed the ratification of several international human rights

instruments by Lithuania and encouraged it to accede to those to which it was not yet a

party. Argentina highlighted some of the plans adopted by Lithuania to combat

discrimination.

27. Armenia welcomed the measures taken by the Government for the promotion of

equality between men and women and those taken against domestic violence. Armenia

noted with appreciation that Lithuania had provided human rights technical assistance in

the countries of the Eastern Partnership of the European Union, particularly Armenia.

28. Australia welcomed the National Roma Integration Strategy. It expressed concern

about the poor conditions, the excessive use of force and the overcrowding in prison and

detention centres and about the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in

Lithuania.

29. Azerbaijan commended Lithuania for strengthening its normative and institutional

framework for the promotion and protection of human rights and for its ratification of the

Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and the Council of Europe Convention

on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. Azerbaijan welcomed the application of

the national human rights institution for accreditation.

30. Belarus noted the experience of Lithuania in conducting thematic consultations with

NGOs and the progress it had achieved in the implementation of the recommendations from

the first review to combat trafficking in human beings and to combat domestic violence and

violence against women. Belarus was concerned about numerous incidents of hate speech

in the media and in the statements of some politicians.

31. Belgium welcomed the steps taken by Lithuania regarding recommendations

accepted by it in the first review, but stated that there was still room for improvement. It

was particularly concerned about the prevalence of domestic violence against women and

about increasingly negative attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and

intersex persons.

32. Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomed steps to strengthen the strong foundation for the

protection of human rights, particularly the ratification of the International Convention for

the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Optional Protocol to the

Convention against Torture. It commended Lithuania for having improved and strengthened

the legal framework on combating violence against women, its continued efforts to prevent

violence against women and the assistance it provided to victims of violence.

33. Brazil acknowledged the progress Lithuania had made in fighting violence against

women and addressing domestic violence, noting that explicit criminalization of marital

rape could further improve the promotion and protection of women’s human rights. Brazil

expressed concern about reports of unlawful detention of asylum seekers and irregular

migrants and about the situation of refugees.

34. Canada welcomed the legislation passed by Lithuania to safeguard fundamental

freedoms, including the Law on Equal Treatment and the Law on Equal Opportunities for

Women and Men. It stressed the importance of pursuing efforts to fully implement

legislation to combat anti-Semitism and to promote and enforce the rights of children and

persons with disabilities.

35. Chile recognized the progress made by the Government, including the ratification of

human rights instruments and the adoption of plans of action, such as those on the

integration of Roma. It appreciated the amendments to the Criminal Code aimed at

eradicating violence against women and domestic violence.

36. China appreciated the efforts of Lithuania to implement the National Programme on

Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, its adoption of amendments to the Criminal and

Criminal Procedure Codes, the initiatives it had taken to combat violence against women

and domestic violence and the measures it had taken to protect the rights of children.

37. Costa Rica encouraged Lithuania to ratify the Optional Protocol to the International

Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It was concerned that Lithuania had not

established a national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles. It was also

concerned about reports of abuse of children with mental impairments, corporal punishment

of and violence against children in the home, domestic violence, discrimination against

minority groups, the high suicide rate and the high rate of abortion among young persons.

38. Croatia commended Lithuania for the amendments to the Criminal and the Criminal

Procedure Codes to strengthen efforts to eliminate violence against women and domestic

violence and to ensure efficient assistance for victims. It encouraged the Government to

accelerate its efforts to protect against gender-based violence and to criminalize marital

rape.

39. Czechia made a statement and recommendations.

40. Egypt welcomed the legal amendments to counter domestic violence and to address

the gender pay gap for work of equal value. Egypt remained concerned about intolerance

and the increasing number of hate crimes and acts of racism and xenophobia.

41. Estonia noted with appreciation that Lithuania was a party to the core human rights

treaties and fully cooperated with the United Nations special procedures. It welcomed

achievements in the field of gender equality and the protection of the rights of women and

of persons belonging to national minorities. It encouraged Lithuania to involve civil society

in the development, implementation and evaluation of the anti-trafficking policy.

42. Finland noted some improvements in sexual and reproductive health and rights. It

noted with satisfaction that organizations of persons with disabilities had been included in

the development of the National Programme for the Social Integration of Persons with

Disabilities.

43. France welcomed the ratification by Lithuania of the International Convention for

the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Optional Protocol to the

Convention against Torture during the reporting period.

44. Georgia welcomed the ratification by Lithuania of the Optional Protocol to the

Convention against Torture, and its efforts to establish a national human rights institution in

compliance with the Paris Principles. Georgia noted that Lithuania provided technical

assistance to other countries, including Georgia, and that it had taken measures to improve

the children’s rights protection system.

45. Germany was concerned at the lack of progress made to reduce the lengthy prison

sentences and to improve prison conditions in Lithuania.

46. The delegation of Lithuania stated that the rights of persons belonging to ethnic

minorities, including their rights to use, practise and manifest their own language, religion,

culture and identity, were guaranteed by the Constitution and domestic legislation. Priority

was given to the creation of a harmonious environment for the integration of ethnic

minorities into Lithuanian society and to the preservation of their national identity,

language and culture, inter alia through a tolerance promotion programme. The most

explicit proof of that right was the Polish minority, which had had shared responsibility for

governing the country for two years. Representatives of national minorities were well

represented in the newly elected parliament. The Department of National Minorities had

been established in 2015. The draft law on national minorities had passed through two of

the three steps in the adoption procedure by the parliament. It raised sensitive issues that

required mutual agreement by all stakeholders.

47. Members of major national minorities could study in their native languages from

kindergarten to university. The minority language schools received 20 per cent more

funding than mainstream schools. The first meetings of an advisory committee established

by the Department of National Minorities in 2016 had focused on the native language

maturity examination. The Ministry of Education held regular meetings with

representatives of national minorities.

48. According to the 2011 population census, there were 2,115 Roma living in

Lithuania, 93.3 per cent of whom had Lithuanian citizenship. Two Roma integration

programmes were being implemented. The levels of Roma illiteracy and incomplete

primary education had declined from 47 per cent in 2001 to 8 per cent in 2015. Seminars

were held for teachers of Roma children. Special measures were being taken to promote the

integration of Roma children living in the Kirtimai settlement.

49. Unemployment among the Roma had decreased during the reporting period.

European Union funds were allocated to projects to integrate Roma into the labour market.

The municipality of Vilnius provided social housing for Roma families living in the

Kirtimai settlement. In 2015, some 89 per cent of the Roma population had benefited from

compulsory health insurance. Persistently negative attitudes to the Roma were being

tackled by the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson and by NGOs.

50. The number of migrants and refugees arriving in Lithuania had increased. In 2015,

the Government had launched a programme to help persons of Lithuanian descent and their

family members to relocate from regions of Ukraine to Lithuania after the security and

humanitarian situation in and around Ukraine had become complicated. The Law on the

Legal Status of Aliens had been amended in late 2015 to align it with the Common

European Asylum System. A commission for the coordination of the relocation of aliens

had also been established.

51. With a view to promoting their integration, Lithuania provided foreigners who had

been granted asylum with temporary accommodation at the Refugee Reception Centre,

where they received monthly allowances for food and minor expenses, and access to

education, employment, social welfare and health care. NGOs provided support for the

integration of foreigners in different municipal communities. Public awareness campaigns

were organized to promote tolerance and mutual understanding in society. Lithuania had

been allocated €8.1 million from the European Union Asylum, Migration and Integration

Fund for its national programme for the period 2014-2020.

52. Guatemala was concerned at reports of stereotyping of and racial discrimination

against members of national ethnic minorities in Lithuania, and the fact that there were no

long-term strategies in place to combat such victimization.

53. Haiti noted the adoption of the Action Plan for Roma Integration 2015-2020, the bill

on employment and the fact that persons with disabilities were better integrated into

society, in particular in decision-making processes.

54. Hungary welcomed the acceptance by Lithuania of many recommendations from the

first review and its ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture

and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, which had resulted in reduced

residency requirements for some stateless persons. It welcomed the new action plan for the

integration of the Roma community and noted the high incidence of human trafficking.

55. Indonesia commended Lithuania for its efforts to mainstream human rights in all

government programmes, enhancing efforts to achieve gender equality, engaging civil

society and improving the system for the protection of the rights of the child.

56. The Islamic Republic of Iran was concerned about systematic violations of the rights

of minorities, hate speech by politicians, discrimination against Roma children, the high

rate of violence against women, child abuse and human trafficking.

57. Iraq praised Lithuania for the adoption of laws to implement international

conventions and for the inclusion of human rights in its national programmes for 2012-

2016. It welcomed the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All

Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the improvement of reception services for

foreigners.

58. Ireland reiterated its call to Lithuania to establish an independent national human

rights institution, in accordance with the Paris Principles. It welcomed the adoption of the

National Programme for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. It shared the concerns of the

Human Rights Committee regarding increasing negative attitudes and actions directed at

members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community.

59. Israel noted the measures taken by Lithuania to address hate crimes of various types,

inter alia, by focusing on training law enforcement officials in the proper handling of such

crimes. It was encouraged by the implementation of the National Programme for the Social

Integration of Persons with Disabilities.

60. Italy commended Lithuania for the adoption of the fourth National Programme on

Equal Opportunities for Women and Men and the National Programme for the Prevention

of Domestic Violence and Provision of Assistance to Victims. It encouraged Lithuania to

continue striving to eliminate violence against women and domestic violence.

61. Kyrgyzstan welcomed the strengthening of the legislative framework, the

ratification of some human rights instruments and practical measures to promote and

protect human rights.

62. Latvia commended Lithuania for its contribution to the promotion of freedom of

assembly and of association through its active involvement in the Human Rights Council. It

noted measures taken to strengthen equality between men and women. Latvia requested

details on measures taken to strengthen cooperation between the national and local

governments to implement human rights standards.

63. Libya welcomed the commitment of Lithuania to cooperate with the universal

periodic review and praised its efforts to implement a number of recommendations

accepted during its first review in the field of human rights and the rule of law.

64. Maldives commended Lithuania for its progress in promoting gender equality,

including equal pay for equal work, and the implementation of the National Programme for

the Prevention of Domestic Violence in 2014-2015. Maldives appreciated the efforts of

Lithuania to improve detention conditions, including its programme for the optimization of

police detention facility performance 2009-2015.

65. Panama noted the accession of Lithuania to the International Convention for the

Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the measures it had taken to

prevent domestic violence, sexual exploitation of minors, child pornography and trafficking

in persons. It was concerned about reports of stereotyping of and racism against ethnic

minorities, migrants and refugees.

66. Montenegro commended Lithuania for its commitment to promoting gender

equality, its efforts to train employers in the private and public sectors on equal pay for

equal work, and the measures it had taken to combat and investigate violence against

women and protect the victims. It was concerned about child abuse in care institutions and

the lack of opportunities for children.

67. Mozambique commended Lithuania for the progresses it had made, particularly

regarding gender equality, including equal pay for women and men, domestic and gender-

based violence, and the rights of minorities. Mozambique noted the fourth National

Programme on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men (2015-2021) and legislative

measures related to pretrial investigation.

68. Namibia commended Lithuania for the adoption of the 2015 Action Plan on Non-

Discrimination and the approval of the Action Plan for Roma Integration 2015-2020.

Namibia noted actions taken by the Minister of Justice in the area of human rights. Namibia

was concerned at the wage gap between women and men.

69. The Netherlands was concerned at the increasing negative attitudes against and

stigmatization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. It welcomed the

creation of an inter-institutional cooperation mechanism to improve the protection of

human rights defenders and considered that further measures could be put in place.

70. Lithuania stated that the number of prison inmates had been reduced from 10,000 to

7,000 in recent years. The decline was partly owing to the imposition of alternative

sanctions. There had been a paradigm shift, moving from the use of deprivation of liberty as

a primary penalty to alternative sanctions.

71. In 2009, a number of important amendments to the Criminal Code had been adopted

concerning hate crimes. Several training events on legal instruments prohibiting racial

discrimination had been organized for public officials. In 2015, a memorandum of

understanding had been signed between the Police Department and the Organization for

Security and Cooperation in Europe on training programmes for police officers on

combating hate crime and the application of the relevant provisions of the Criminal Code.

A project entitled “Innovative development of intercultural competences for police

officers”, focusing on equality and non-discrimination, had been implemented in 2013 and

2014 by the Vilnius office of the International Organization for Migration and the Police

Department. In 2011 and 2012, two other police training courses had been conducted,

entitled “Peculiarities of communication with victims” and “Promotion of non-

discrimination: implementation of equal opportunities policy”. In 2013 and 2014, the Office

of the Prosecutor General, in cooperation with the Lithuanian Bar Association, had

implemented the HELP anti-discrimination training programme for prosecutors and lawyers

based on relevant case law of the European Court of Human Rights.

72. Hate crimes that occurred in Lithuania included racially, ethnically, nationally and

religiously motived offences, xenophobic, anti-Semitic and homophobic incidents, and hate

speech. The number of registered offences had declined, which was attributable to the

improved skills of law enforcement officers, preventive measures such as dissemination in

the media of information concerning investigations of hate crimes and relevant court

decisions, and the organization of anti-discrimination programmes by public institutions

and NGOs.

73. Lithuania strongly supported the work of human rights NGOs and attributed much

importance to cooperation between the Government and those organizations. The National

Equality and Diversity Forum, created in 2010, brought together NGOs engaged in

combating discrimination against vulnerable groups and discrimination based on gender,

disability, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief, and racial or ethnic origin. In January

2015, the Government had adopted the Inter-institutional Action Plan on Non-

discrimination for 2015-2020. The objectives of the Action Plan were to reduce

discrimination on the aforementioned grounds by public awareness-raising, enhance

respect, promote the work of human rights defenders operating in the area of non-

discrimination and equality, and support the annual National Equality and Diversity

Awards.

74. National legislation afforded protection against inequality and discrimination. The

new Labour Code enshrined the principles of equality of opportunities, equal treatment of

men and women in employment, and equal pay for work of equal value. The principle of

respect for employees’ family responsibilities had also been enshrined in national

legislation. Employers were required to respect employees’ right to return, after maternity,

paternity or parental leave, to the same post or to an equivalent post with no less favourable

working conditions. Furthermore, greater flexibility was offered to mothers and fathers who

wished to engage in part-time work by providing for flexible or individual working hours.

Thus, the new legislation required employers to assist employees in fulfilling their family

responsibilities.

75. With a view to achieving gender equality at the local level, training programmes for

employers had been organized by NGOs together with the Ministry of Social Security and

Labour. Under the new national legislation, employers in workplaces where the average

number of employees exceeded 50 were required to adopt and publish measures aimed at

implementing the equal opportunities policy.

76. Norway noted the implementation of legislation on domestic violence and stated that

follow-up was needed to secure the necessary resources and capacity. It encouraged

awareness-raising concerning domestic violence, including violence against children, and

the speedy implementation of the process of deinstitutionalization.

77. Pakistan welcomed the establishment of a national mechanism to protect and

promote human rights. It noted the development of various national plans to implement the

rights to health and education of women, children and persons with disabilities. It

appreciated the efforts to ensure protection from domestic violence and to integrate the

Roma minority.

78. Mexico acknowledged progress made regarding gender equality and the elimination

of violence against women. While welcoming measures taken to protect the rights of

lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, Mexico believed that Lithuania

could improve its legislative framework on domestic violence, and make further progress

on combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

79. The Philippines welcomed the efforts of Lithuania to address domestic and gender-

based violence. It expressed concern about the pay gap for work of equal value and asked

how Lithuania had been addressing it. The Philippines enquired about reasons for the

failure to establish a national human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles.

80. Poland acknowledged the efforts taken to implement the recommendations from the

first review. It raised some issues with regard to the situation of persons belonging to

national minorities in Lithuania.

81. Portugal welcomed the fact that the Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office had applied for

accreditation as a national human rights institution under the Paris Principles. It

commended Lithuania for its national programme on preventing domestic violence, and its

efforts to combat xenophobia, racism, hate speech and discrimination in the media and in

public.

82. Romania commended Lithuania for various programmes it had adopted to promote

and protect human rights and for strengthening cooperation between central and local

governments in implementing human rights standards. It encouraged Lithuania to continue

strengthening its efforts in the area of human rights.

83. The Russian Federation was concerned at the increase in manifestations of

nationalism and neo-Nazism, racism and xenophobia, the absence of a law on national

minorities and attempts by the Government to censor the media. The Government’s policy

to making heroes out of those Lithuanians who supported German Nazis was disturbing.

84. Saudi Arabia welcomed the progress made by Lithuania in the area of human rights

since its first review. It expressed concern at the increase in the number of hate crimes and

discrimination against asylum seekers and Muslims.

85. Serbia commended Lithuania for its efforts to address the challenges it faced

regarding the administration of justice, prevention of torture and improving prison

conditions. It encouraged Lithuania to strengthen its independent oversight institutions.

Serbia welcomed the efforts to combat human trafficking and commended Lithuania for its

intention to adopt a law on minorities.

86. Slovenia commended Lithuania for its ratification of the Optional Protocol to the

Convention against Torture and Protocols No. 15 and 16 to the Convention for the

Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (European Convention on Human

Rights), the establishment of the Department of National Minorities and the introduction of

training programmes for police on combating hate crimes and of legal education in schools.

Slovenia noted persistent challenges in the area of equality and non-discrimination.

87. Spain appreciated the commitment of Lithuania to reducing poverty and social

exclusion, and to improving education and access to health. It was concerned that the Civil

Code allowed for persons with disabilities who lacked legal capacity to undergo surgical

procedures without their consent with the authorization of the courts. It urged Lithuania to

make progress regarding protection of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and

intersex persons.

88. Sweden noted that the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence did not ensure

protection of children against corporal punishment, that the Istanbul Convention had not yet

been ratified and that negative attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and

intersex persons prevailed.

89. Switzerland welcomed progress made in the area of the rights of women,

particularly the National Programme on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men (2015-

2021). Switzerland was concerned at discriminatory speech, legislation and practices

regarding sexual orientation and gender identity, despite recommendations received by

Lithuania during its first review.

90. Tajikistan noted the efforts of Lithuania to cooperate with international human rights

organizations, to strengthen its compliance with international human rights instruments and

to improve national legislation. Tajikistan welcomed the national programme and the public

awareness campaign for equal opportunities, and efforts to combat violence against women

and domestic violence.

91. Timor-Leste commended Lithuania for adopting the Inter-institutional Action Plan

on Non-discrimination and the Action Plan for Roma Integration. It noted with appreciation

that human rights issues were included in the government programme, that human rights

training was organized by the Ministry of Justice and that the Department of National

Minorities had been established. Timor-Leste was concerned about violence against women

with disabilities.

92. Turkey commended Lithuania for its achievements in the area of gender equality,

persons with disabilities, welfare of children, the fight against trafficking in human beings

and the improvement of prison conditions. Turkey welcomed the re-establishment of the

Department of National Minorities.

93. Ukraine commended Lithuania for incorporating the main human rights values in its

government programmes and for its cooperation with human rights mechanisms of the

United Nations and European institutions. It noted the assistance provided to national

minorities, the technical assistance in the area of human rights provided to other countries

and the financial contribution of Lithuania to OHCHR.

94. The United Kingdom welcomed the efforts of Lithuania to tackle domestic violence

and trafficking in human beings. It also welcomed the establishment of the Department of

National Minorities to focus on policy implementation and commended the successful

hosting of the Baltic Pride Parade in 2016.

95. The United States of America welcomed the reforms Lithuania had introduced on

children in institutional care, its efforts to address domestic violence and its interministerial

coordination of anti-trafficking efforts. It was concerned about widespread domestic

violence, insufficient funding of protection for victims of trafficking, prejudice against

lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and the lack of non-discriminatory

access to housing for Roma persons.

96. Uruguay noted with appreciation the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the

Convention against Torture and the International Convention for the Protection of All

Persons from Enforced Disappearance. It also noted the efforts to implement the

recommendations from the first review, including those calling for efforts to combat

domestic and gender-based violence. Noting that the corporal punishment of children was

legally prohibited in Lithuania, it encouraged the authorities to enforce the relevant

legislation in practice.

97. Algeria welcomed the priority given to human rights in the Government’s plan of

action in the period 2012-2016 and the adoption of the inter-institutional Plan of Action

against Discrimination and the fourth National Programme on Equal Opportunities for

Women and Men (2015-2021).

98. The delegation of Lithuania stated that, given the great losses the country had

sustained during the Second World War, it severely condemned Nazi crimes and ideology.

Lithuania had suffered from occupation and persecution by the Nazi and Soviet totalitarian

regimes. It cherished the memory of all victims of those regimes and paid tribute to those

who had fought against tyranny and oppression, including members of the anti-Nazi and

anti-Soviet resistance. The Criminal Code defined as a criminal offence the act of

condoning, denying or grossly trivializing genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes

committed by the Nazi and Soviet regimes. Lithuania would continue to prosecute persons

suspected of committing crimes against humanity, regardless of the ideology underlying

those crimes or the flag under which they were committed.

99. In conclusion, the delegation reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion and

protection of all human rights. Lithuania invested a great deal of effort in improving its

legislation and practices in diverse areas and regarded the comments and advice received

from delegations and civil society representatives during it second review as an important

tool for achieving further improvements.

II. Conclusions and/or recommendations

100. The following recommendations will be examined by Lithuania, which will

provide responses in due time, but no later than the thirty-fourth session of the

Human Rights Council.

100.1 Ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of

All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Egypt) (Uruguay);

100.2 Accede to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights

of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Turkey);

100.3 Ratify promptly the International Convention on the Protection of the

Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Guatemala);

100.4 Consider signing and ratifying the International Convention on the

Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their

Families (Indonesia);

100.5 Consider ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the

Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Albania)

(Philippines);

100.6 Consider ratifying the International Labour Organization (ILO)

Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) (Philippines);

100.7 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic,

Social and Cultural Rights (Belgium) (Montenegro) (Spain);

** The conclusions and recommendations have not been edited

100.8 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic,

Social and Cultural Rights and accept its investigation and inter-State

communication procedures (Uruguay);

100.9 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the

Child on a communications procedure (Andorra) (Spain);

100.10 Consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the

Rights of the Child on a communications procedure (Albania);

100.11 Ratify the ILO Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189)

(Panama);

100.12 Consider ratifying the Convention against Discrimination in

Education (Albania);

100.13 Ratify the Convention against Discrimination in Education

(Panama);

100.14 Accede to the Convention against Discrimination in Education

(Iraq);

100.15 Ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and

Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Andorra)

(Canada) (Italy);

100.16 Ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and

Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Belgium);1

100.17 Ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and

Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (the İstanbul

Convention) (Turkey);

100.18 Ratify without delay the Council of Europe Convention on

Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence

and expedite the harmonization of legislation in accordance with it (Bosnia and

Herzegovina);

100.19 Expedite the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on

Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence

(the Istanbul Convention) (Sweden);2

100.20 Harmonize its legislation in accordance with the Convention on

Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence

(the Istanbul Convention) without delay (Sweden);3

100.21 Sign, ratify and implement the provisions of the European Charter

for Regional or Minority Languages (Poland);

100.22 Ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

(Croatia);4

1 The recommendation, as read out during the interactive dialogue, was: “Criminalize domestic

violence and marital rape and ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating

Violence against Women and Domestic Violence.”

2 The recommendation, as read out during the interactive dialogue, was: “Expedite the ratification of

the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and

Domestic Violence, and harmonize its legislation in accordance with the Convention without delay.”

3 See footnote 2.

100.23 Continue its accession to the core international human rights

instruments (Azerbaijan);

100.24 Establish a national human rights institution in line with the Paris

Principles (Algeria) (Egypt);

100.25 Establish a national human rights institution in compliance with the

Paris Principles (Timor-Leste);

100.26 Establish an independent national human rights institution in full

compliance with the Paris Principles (Ukraine);

100.27 Step up efforts towards establishment of a national human rights

institution in line with the Paris Principles (Philippines);

100.28 Conclude the accreditation of the national human rights institution,

endowing it with a broad mandate, in line with the Paris Principles (Turkey);

100.29 Accelerate the efforts to establish a national human rights

institution in full compliance with the Paris Principles (Azerbaijan);

100.30 Establish an independent national human rights institution in line

with the Paris Principles, with a mandate and resources to investigate

complaints of human rights violations (Canada);

100.31 Establish a national human rights institution with a broad mandate

and sufficient resources, in compliance with the Paris Principles, that includes a

concrete mandate regarding the rights of women (Guatemala);

100.32 Create by law a national institution to ensure the fulfilment and

application of human rights for the entire population without distinction of any

kind and provide increased financial and human resources to the Office of the

Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson (Costa Rica);

100.33 Proceed with the establishment of a national human rights

institution in compliance with the Paris Principles and provide it with adequate

resources for its efficient functioning (Serbia);

100.34 Continue its support to the Office of the Children’s Rights

Ombudsman (Georgia);

100.35 Strengthen its support to the Office of the Children’s Rights

Ombudsman (Timor-Leste);

100.36 Take measures to ensure that the Office of the Equal Opportunities

Ombudsperson is strengthened sufficiently to carry out its functions (Namibia);

100.37 Develop a comprehensive national action plan on human rights

(Indonesia);

100.38 Elaborate an operational framework of systematic and

comprehensive assessment of progress achieved in human rights (Ukraine);

100.39 Set out specific plans with measurable targets in the area of human

rights and social policies (Spain);

4 The recommendation, as read out during the interactive dialogue, was: “Adopt a coherent legal

framework for the protection of persons belonging to national minorities and ratify the European

Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and work towards the socioeconomic betterment of

people from ethnic minority backgrounds.”

100.40 Further pursue its commitment to guaranteeing full respect for the

rights of the child, in particular, children with disabilities, and guarantee that

all violations of these rights, in particular allegations of abuse and ill-treatment,

are brought to justice (Portugal);

100.41 Make every effort to increase the effectiveness of the protection of

the rights of the child (Tajikistan);

100.42 Reinforce the measures to protect the rights of child, inter alia by

expediting the adoption of the revised draft law on the fundamentals of

protection of the rights of the child (Georgia);

100.43 Continue to pay particular attention to the issue of youth

participation in the public decision-making process (Romania);

100.44 Continue to seek even better coordination among all the

stakeholders with a view to overcoming possible problems in adopting human

rights legislation (Romania);

100.45 The Ministry of Justice, jointly with civil society organizations,

should consider conducting awareness-raising campaigns among parliamentary

representatives and society as a whole (Spain);

100.46 Take additional effective legislative and administrative measures to

promote gender equality (China);

100.47 Strengthen ongoing anti-discrimination efforts, including by

amending relevant legislation in order to effectively protect women and girls

from multiple or intersecting forms of discrimination (Turkey);

100.48 Continue to ensure women’s equal participation in the economic

sector, equal opportunities for career development, equal pay as men and

provide sufficient opportunities to reconcile work and family obligations

(Pakistan);

100.49 Take active measures, including legislative measures, to ensure

equal wages for women and men (Namibia);

100.50 Ensure effective implementation of its laws on anti-discrimination

against women and minorities and take effective measures to ensure protection

of migrants, refugees and minorities against racial discrimination, xenophobia

and related intolerance, and hate crimes (Pakistan);

100.51 Establish a holistic strategy to strengthen social cohesion and to

respect religious diversity (Saudi Arabia);

100.52 Legally define the limit between freedom of expression and hate

speech, and take measures to ensure that minorities are represented in the

social and political spheres (Saudi Arabia);

100.53 Take measures to criminalize incitement to hatred based on religion

and faith (Saudi Arabia);

100.54 Propose specific initiatives and policies to combat all forms of

extremism, racism and xenophobia, in particular towards Muslims (Saudi

Arabia);

100.55 Monitor the effective application of the anti-discrimination

legislation and consider taking special measures to foster the integration

process of national and ethnic minorities in society (Afghanistan);

100.56 Fight all forms of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism and ensure

that tolerance and intercultural understanding are promoted and conveyed to

the public, including by political figures, and develop, in close consultation with

national minority representatives, a comprehensive strategy for the promotion

of social cohesion with respect for diversity (Albania);

100.57 Enforce anti-discrimination legislation, taking special measures to

foster the integration of national and ethnic minorities into society (Brazil);

100.58 Eliminate discrimination on the basis of language in the areas of

education and employment (Russian Federation);

100.59 Continue its efforts to eliminate discrimination against ethnic

minorities, refugees and immigrants (China);

100.60 Ensure effective implementation of anti-discrimination legislation

and consider the possibility of adopting special measures to promote the

integration of national and ethnic minorities into society (Guatemala);

100.61 Redouble its efforts to combat stereotypes and intolerance, prevent

crimes with racial, discriminatory or xenophobic motivation, and provide

effective responses to hate speech (Panama);

100.62 Continue the efforts to combat all forms of hatred and

discrimination, and strengthen mechanisms of accountability in this regard

(Libya);

100.63 Deepen the measures to guarantee the fight against discrimination,

xenophobia and racism, particularly through the investigation and effective

punishment of the perpetrators of such acts (Argentina);

100.64 Strengthen the efforts to prevent crimes committed with

discriminatory or xenophobic motives and to bring perpetrators of such crimes

to justice (Afghanistan);

100.65 Prevent racial, discriminatory and xenophobic crimes and provide

effective remedies to the victims (Islamic Republic of Iran);

100.66 Strengthen the fight against racism and racial discrimination

(Algeria);

100.67 Continue to strengthen its efforts to prevent crimes committed with

racial, discriminatory and xenophobic motives (Portugal);

100.68 Investigate all cases of racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia, and

ensure that tolerance and intercultural understanding are promoted and

conveyed to the public (Egypt);

100.69 Continue to take measures to combat hate crimes (Tajikistan);

100.70 Consider the possibility of developing a complex of measures aimed

at combating hate speech (Belarus);

100.71 Reinforce existing educational programmes about the Holocaust,

and introduce additional ones, as a key lesson in the fight against racial

discrimination (Israel);

100.72 Conduct effective investigation and where appropriate, bring to

justice persons or groups of individuals who incite intolerance and spread

racist, xenophobic and anti-Semitic speech (Belarus);

100.73 Take all necessary measures to prevent and prosecute hate crimes,

especially all forms of violence and harassment related to sexual orientation

and gender identity (Slovenia);

100.74 Step up efforts to investigate and act upon instances of hate speech

and hate crime and to ensure effective access to justice and remedies for

victims, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and

members of religious or ethnic minority communities (Netherlands);

100.75 Adopt measures that guarantee respect for the rights of lesbian,

gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, by investigating and punishing

acts of violence and discrimination as well as reviewing all legislation that may

affect their rights (Argentina);

100.76 Continue to address homophobia and discrimination through better

education programmes and ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and

intersex people are able to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and

assembly (Australia);

100.77 Reject the adoption of legislative proposals that would restrict the

enjoyment of fundamental rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and

intersex persons (Belgium);

100.78 Strengthen its efforts to address discrimination relating to sexual

orientation and gender identity, ensure that all allegations of human rights

violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons are

investigated and that effective remedies are made available to victims (Ireland);

100.79 Consider ways of improving the authorities’ response to hate crimes

based on sexual orientation or gender identity (Israel);

100.80 Fight against discrimination based on origin, gender and sexual

orientation, and strengthen its legislative framework to provide recognition and

protection for transgender persons (France);

100.81 Strengthen actions and policies in order to combat effectively

discrimination and violence suffered by persons on account of their sexual

orientation or gender identity (Chile);

100.82 Raise public awareness of hate speech and hate crimes on grounds

of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation,

disability or ethnic identity; encourage reporting to authorities; and develop

procedures to ensure such crimes are effectively investigated (Canada);

100.83 Ensure that effective investigations of incitement and agitation to

hatred and violence, and hate crimes on grounds of sexual orientation and/or

gender identity are carried out (Sweden);

100.84 Ensure effective legal frameworks are in place that enable the

reporting, investigation and prosecution of cases of discrimination or hate

crimes on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity (United

Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland);

100.85 Conduct thorough investigations of alleged hate crimes against

lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, Roma and refugees

(United States of America);

100.86 Refrain from adopting legislation which may limit the rights and

freedoms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (Slovenia);

100.87 Amend the Law on the Protection of Minors against the

Detrimental Effect of Public Information so that it cannot be abused for

discriminating against and punishing persons for their sexual orientation and

gender identity (Czechia);

100.88 Ensure that the Law on the Protection of Minors against the

Detrimental Effect of Public Information is not applied with a discriminatory

effect against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons

(Germany);

100.89 Review the Law on the Protection of Minors against the

Detrimental Effect of Public Information so that it could not be interpreted to

prevent carrying out awareness-raising activities on issues of sexual orientation

and gender identity (Switzerland);

100.90 The Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect

of Public Information should not be applied with a view to censoring lesbian,

gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons-related information (Norway);

100.91 Do not apply the Law on the Protection of Minors against the

Detrimental Effect of Public Information to restrict freedom of expression, and

facilitate access to legal remedies of persons who consider that the enjoyment of

their right has been affected (Mexico);

100.92 Discard efforts to narrow down and legally entrench a restrictive

definition of family based exclusively on heterosexual marriage that could be

considered discriminatory; an inclusive concept of partnership, also for same-

sex couples, would be a positive step (Norway);

100.93 Address the gap that prevents transgender persons from legal

recognition (Spain);

100.94 Recognize in law the gender identity of transgender people and do

not restrict the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people

(Uruguay);

100.95 Introduce a definition of torture into the Criminal Code making

torture a distinct offence with corresponding punishments (Maldives);

100.96 Incorporate in domestic legislation a definition of torture in

conformity with article 1 of the Convention against Torture, including all of its

elements, in particular the imprescriptibility of torture (Mexico);

100.97 Protect persons, particularly women and children, against violence,

exploitation and abuse (Islamic Republic of Iran);

100.98 Further address all forms of gender-based violence, including the

issue of incorporating the definition of gender-based violence in the National

Programme for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Provision of

Assistance to Victims for 2014-2020 (Kyrgyzstan);

100.99 Continue its good efforts to address violence against women and

domestic violence (Latvia);

100.100 Sustain efforts to eradicate domestic violence and gender-based

violence (Philippines);

100.101 Take all necessary measures in order to promote the rights of

women and effectively combat domestic violence, and ensure the effective

implementation of existing instruments (France);

100.102 Continue with efforts to ensure broader access of victims of gender-

based and domestic violence to justice and regulate clearly their protection as

well as improving laws on anti-discrimination and equal opportunities towards

the explicit protection of women from multiple forms of discrimination

(Croatia);

100.103 Strengthen its legislation and assistance to victims of gender-based

violence to ensure that the rights of all victims, including former spouses or

long-term partners who did not live in a common household, are recognised

and that they receive equal treatment (Ireland);

100.104 Continue measures to promote equality between women and men

and to combat domestic violence (Armenia);

100.105 Establish and implement comprehensive measures to prevent

violence against women and implement effective measures of support for

victims of domestic violence (Costa Rica);

100.106 Give the National Programme for the Prevention of Domestic

Violence and Provision of Assistance to Victims all necessary resources, in

particular regarding full access to the competent judiciary institutions

(Portugal);

100.107 Prevent and punish all forms of violence against women, including

spousal rape (Panama);

100.108 Include in the Criminal Code violence, sexual attacks and abuse

perpetrated by spouses (Mexico);

100.109 Criminalize domestic violence and marital rape (Belgium);5

100.110 Redouble efforts to combat gender-based violence by criminalizing

marital rape, thoroughly investigating and prosecuting acts of violence against

women, and issuing guidelines for and providing training to law enforcement

and judicial officials on handling domestic violence cases in all regions

(Canada);

100.111 Criminalize marital rape (Brazil);

100.112 Continue stepping up efforts to combat trafficking in human beings

and adopt a separate plan of action on combating trafficking in human beings

to improve coordination at the national level (Belarus);

100.113 Ensure that all allegations of abuse and violence against children

are investigated, and that alleged perpetrators are effectively prosecuted

(Turkey);

100.114 Adopt legislation explicitly prohibiting corporal punishment of

children, including in the home, and consider awareness-raising activities to

increase public knowledge about the issue (Estonia);

100.115 Take additional measures to protect children from corporal

punishment and sexual crimes (Kyrgyzstan);

100.116 Develop measures to prevent child abuse and corporal punishment,

to include passing the draft legislation on children’s rights (United States of

America);

5 See footnote 1.

100.117 Prohibit all forms of violence against children in all settings,

including corporal punishment, and provide for measures to enforce its

prohibition (Sweden);

100.118 Strengthen the legislation in order to criminalize all forms of

corporal punishment of children in all circumstances (Chile);

100.119 Establish and implement integrated strategies for the prevention of

child abuse, suicide among young people and unwanted pregnancies among

girls and young people (Costa Rica);

100.120 Intensify efforts to implement all measures for preventing and

addressing all forms of violence against children, particularly in institutions

(Montenegro);

100.121 Continue its work in preventing all cases of human trafficking

(Maldives);

100.122 Continue to improve the training and specialization of investigators,

prosecutors and judges to tackle crimes of trafficking in persons, including with

a focus on women and children (Estonia);

100.123 Increase funding for NGOs to provide sustainable care to

trafficking victims (United States of America);

100.124 Consider the adoption of a separate action plan on combating

human trafficking and improve coordination of anti-trafficking actions at the

national and municipal levels (Serbia);

100.125 Investigate effectively all cases of human trafficking and prosecute

those responsible (Islamic Republic of Iran);

100.126 Provide redress to victims of human trafficking (Islamic Republic

of Iran);

100.127 Provide more direct social assistance and relocation support to

victims of trafficking, enhance efforts to prevent the factors behind continued

trafficking and ensure effective prosecution of the perpetrators (United

Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland);

100.128 Strengthen the right to a fair trial, inter alia through the consequent

implementation of relevant European Union standards (Germany);

100.129 End the overcrowding of prisons, inter alia by developing

alternative forms of punishment. Pursue the implementation of the prison

modernization programme in order to improve prison conditions in a manner

compliant with international human rights standards (Germany);

100.130 Eliminate overcrowding in prisons and improve conditions in its

penitentiary system in line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules

for the Treatment of Prisoners (Czechia);

100.131 Continue work to ensure prison and detention centre conditions

comply with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of

Prisoners (Australia);

100.132 Strengthen the resources and staffing of the national preventive

mechanism in accordance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention against

Torture and ensure its independent and effective functioning (Czechia);

100.133 Ensure freedom of opinion and expression in line with the

international obligations of Lithuania (Russian Federation);

100.134 Take additional measures to ensure a safe and enabling

environment for human rights defenders without fear of reprisals, intimidation,

violence or discrimination (Netherlands);

100.135 Assess legislative initiatives pertaining to civil society in order to

make sure that they do not unjustly restrict the scope of action of non-

governmental organizations (Norway);

100.136 Recognize explicitly the legitimacy of the work of human rights

defenders and ensure for them a safe environment without fear of intimidation

or reprisals; investigate threats or attacks against them and bring those

responsible to justice (Uruguay);

100.137 Establish an inclusive dialogue on the universal basic income as a

tool to improve the current social security system, in consultation with all

stakeholders (Haiti);

100.138 Review laws and policies with a view to raising the standard of

living of marginalized and vulnerable groups, preventing them from

languishing in poverty (Haiti);

100.139 Continue its endeavours to combat poverty and achieve prosperity

(Iraq);

100.140 Ensure that young people with mental health problems have access

to the highest professional consultancies and treatment methods, and promote

an enabling environment for non-profit organizations working with mental

health issues in relation to young people and children (Portugal);

100.141 Take actions to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights

according to previous recommendations and formulate a national strategy on

sexual and reproductive health and rights, and integrate sexual and

reproductive health into the next national health programme for 2026-2036

(Finland);

100.142 Continue expanding its human rights education programmes, in an

inclusive and permanent manner and at all levels (Chile);

100.143 Provide proper conditions and financial means for minority

language schools within the framework of the education reform without

compromising the general quality of education; also in this context, adopt

additional measures to ensure a sufficient transitional period for the

educational reform in minority schools (Poland);

100.144 Provide financial resources for the implementation of the

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Costa Rica);

100.145 Devise a comprehensive national strategy for the implementation of

the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Turkey);

100.146 Improve implementation of relevant national standards and

legislation pertaining to accessibility for people with disabilities, also on the

municipal level (Israel);

100.147 Ensure the accessibility of school environments, the provision of

reasonable accommodation, accessible and adapted materials and curricula,

and the compulsory pre-service and in-service training of all teachers on

inclusive education and take measures to implement the recommendations of

the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in this regard

(Finland);

100.148 Take, without delay, concrete measures for the full integration of

persons with disabilities, in particular regarding access to employment, medical

care reimbursement, and specific accommodation in public schools, public

places and transportation (France);

100.149 Abolish all practices of forced treatment, including non-consensual

castrations, sterilizations and abortions, and eliminate the possibility for third

parties such as guardians, doctors and courts to approve such practices, as

recommended by the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

(Spain);

100.150 Continue its efforts to protect persons with disabilities against

violence, exploitation and abuse (Timor-Leste);

100.151 Adopt a coherent legal framework for the protection of persons

belonging to national minorities (Croatia);6

100.152 Work towards the socioeconomic betterment of people from ethnic

minority backgrounds (Croatia);7

100.153 Finalize the enactment process of the law on national minorities

(Turkey);

100.154 Adopt a law on national minorities that would safeguard the respect

of language rights of minorities in accordance with Lithuania’s international

obligations (Poland);

100.155 Adopt an appropriate law on national minorities (Russian

Federation);

100.156 Continue to promote the rights of national minorities through a

legal framework (Maldives);

100.157 Finalize the adoption of the law on national minorities (Armenia);

100.158 Approve the draft law on national minorities and protect effectively

differences in languages, religions, culture and identity (Costa Rica);

100.159 Continue strengthening the comprehensive initiatives on education

in favour of migrants, ethnic minorities, women and children, in particular

those from Roma communities (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);

100.160 Ensure that the voices of and challenges faced by minorities are

acknowledged by the authorities and included in the decision-making processes

that affect them (Poland);

100.161 Address all outstanding issues in the field of minority rights,

including on the official use of minority languages and ensuring quality

education in minority languages (Serbia);

100.162 Continue implementing the Plan for the Integration of the Roma,

through which the Ministry of Social Security provides labour market insertion

6 See footnote 4.

7 See footnote 4.

services for persons belonging to this vulnerable group (Bolivarian Republic of

Venezuela);

100.163 Continue to implement the National Roma Integration Strategy,

while addressing areas for improvement noted in the European Commission’s

2014 assessment of progress (Australia);

100.164 Accelerate and strengthen migrant integration into Lithuanian

society, including by developing awareness campaigns and educational

programs as well as preventing and investigating manifestations of hatred

(Canada);

100.165 Continue efforts to create the appropriate conditions for the

integration of migrants and to improve their living and working conditions

(Germany);

100.166 Adopt a comprehensive integration strategy for refugees, ensuring

effective integration measures and increasing social support for refugees during

the integration process (Egypt);

100.167 Improve reception services at foreigners’ registration centres and

implement alternative registration services, particularly for asylum seekers

with special needs (Iraq);

100.168 Develop actions to improve the living conditions of asylum seekers

and avoid discrimination on grounds of nationality or country of origin (Chile);

100.169 Take measures to provide those at risk of statelessness with identity

documents, with particular regard to the Roma (Hungary);

100.170 Adopt the necessary measures to reduce statelessness (Panama);

100.171 Complete the investigation on its involvement in Central

Intelligence Agency rendition and secret detention programmes, within a

reasonable time (Islamic Republic of Iran).

101. The recommendation below did not enjoy the support of Lithuania and would

thus be noted:

101.1 Put an end to the practice of rewriting history and interpreting it at will,

including in the textbooks of secondary and high schools (Russian Federation).

102. Lithuania could not support the recommendation in paragraph 101.1 as it

considers it to be unrelated to human rights and not in compliance with the basis of

the review stipulated in Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1 and 16/21.

103. All conclusions and/or recommendations contained in the present report reflect

the position of the submitting State(s) and/or the State under review. They should not

be construed as endorsed by the Working Group as a whole.

Annex

Composition of the delegation

The delegation of Lithuania was headed by Vice-Minister of Justice, Mr. Paulius

Griciūnas, and composed of the following members:

• H.E. Mr. Andrius Krivas, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Lithuania in

Geneva

• Ms. Lina Saulėnaitė-Višinskienė, Counsellor of International and European Union

Affairs Unit, Office of the Government

• Ms. Irina Urbonė, Director of Law Department, Ministry of the Interior

• Mr. Rimvydas Valentukevičius, Deputy Chief-Prosecutor of Criminal Prosecution

Department of the Prosecutor General’s Office

• Ms. Vygantė Milašiūtė, Head of International Agreements Law Division,

International Law Department, Ministry of Justice

• Mr. Donatas Butkus, Head of Human Rights Division, United Nations, International

Organizations and Human Rights Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Ms. Aušrutė Armonavičienė, Head of Healthcare of Mother and Child Division,

Ministry of Health

• Ms. Neringa Dulkinaitė, Chief Specialist of International Law Division, Ministry of

Social Security and Labour

• Ms. Ona Čepulėnienė, Chief Specialist of Lower and Upper Secondary Education

Division, General Education Department, Ministry of Education and Science

• Ms. Gražina Sluško, Chief Specialist of Communication with National Communities

Division, Department of National Minorities

• Ms. Inga Miltenytė, First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Lithuania to the

United Nations Office in Geneva

• Mr. Augustinas Normantas, Head of the Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office

• Mr. Vytautas Valentinavičius, Communication Officer of the Seimas Ombudsmen’s

Office