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Mr. President,
Madam High Commissioner,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my honour to address the Human Rights Council today. I would like to begin by welcoming the United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted yesterday on suspension of the membership of Libya at the Human Rights Council. Swift and determined action, which was started in this room by organizing the special session on Libya and by unanimously adopting its resolution was continued in New York. It shows that our concerted action can produce results. This sets a precedent that membership of this Council depends on human rights record of particular country and the seat in this august body is depending on how human rights are protected and promoted.

Mr. President,

I will start by saying that Lithuania supports comments expressed by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Her Excellency Baroness Catherine Ashton on the first day of this session.

In terms of Lithuania’s international engagements, this year is especially important. First, because Lithuania assumed the chair-in-office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Second, in July Lithuania will conclude its chairing of the Community of Democracies by hosting a CoD Ministerial Conference.

Let me start with our activities in the Community of Democracies. As we all know, peace and security, development, democracy and human rights are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. The Community of Democracies is intergovernmental coalition of like-minded countries which has focused on supporting democratic institutions, human rights, and promoting active participation of civil society in democratic governance.

We are particularly satisfied that  human rights issues have figured prominently in the  activities of  the Community, including  human rights education and education for democracy; gender equality and  women’s empowerment;  freedom of expression and internet freedom;  as well as support for  civil society. We are convinced that the Community can play a constructive and useful role in the activities of the Human Rights Council through its support for and rallying behind specific human rights issues which are on the Council’s agenda.   

As part of our commitment to women’s rights and gender equality, Lithuania will hold a high level panel discussion on the role of women in promoting democratic governance later this year. This event, organized under the patronage of Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite and Finnish President Tarja Halonen with the active participation of Council of Women World Leaders, will take place in Vilnius on June 30 and  will bring together leaders from governments, business, and civil society from all around the world.    

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me now make a few points on our chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – the OSCE.  In this organization security has always been measured in terms of the well-being of the individual. Our societies are the safest when human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law are upheld. When those rights and freedoms are violated, we are all at risk. Therefore, our priorities for the term in office include the issues of the freedom of expression, pluralism in the new media including the internet, promotion of tolerance through education, combating hate crimes, and highlighting the importance of independent human rights institutions for democracy building.

Freedom of expression continues to be under attack in many parts of the world. Free speech is suppressed, journalists arrested and millions of people are denied access to   information. With the advancement of new communication technologies and new forms of media, access to information is gaining new importance in empowering populations and giving them a voice.  A meeting of the Internet Governance Forum in Vilnius last September offered an excellent occasion to discuss the role of new media in promoting good governance and empowering civil societies.

Let me remind you that over the past twelve years more than one thousand one hundred journalists and media staff have been killed worldwide while performing their duties. My country finds such situation unacceptable and will continue to speak for those who through their reporting contribute to ensuring two of the core freedoms of modern society- freedom of expression and freedom of information. 

We hope that an OSCE conference on the safety of journalists to be organized in Vilnius in June this year in cooperation with the OSCE Representative of the Freedom of the Media, will allow us to further elaborate on the importance of free media in  today’s world, by  highlighting the risks journalists take on a daily basis.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In an increasingly globalised world, too many problems arise from inability or unwillingness to understand and accept our diversity as human beings, as nations.  Education is undoubtedly one of the first steps in promoting understanding and tolerance. In this regard we must note with great interest relevant initiatives at the UN, namely the process of elaboration of the declaration on human rights education and training.

Mr. President,
Ladies and gentlemen,

This year, the Human Rights Council is marking its fifth year of existence. Over the past five years Human Rights Council has sought to promptly and effectively addressing thematic issues and country-specific situations. The Council’s response to the event in Libya is a good case to point.

To my delegation, the readiness to respond to crisis situations is essential to the credibility of the Council.  The Human Rights Council must continue to address grave human rights situations, inter alia through establishment of country mandates. We must also continue to ensure independence of special procedures as well as a meaningful NGO participation in the Council’s activities.

As recent events indicate, there is also a need to address the issue of the membership of HRC, and the quality of HRC members’ commitments to the highest human rights standards. The practice of election by clean slates leaves much to be desired. We should instead embrace real, competitive elections on the basis of countries’ commitment to and actual performance in terms of safeguarding and promoting human rights.

The role of the High Commissioner and her Office in the overall human rights architecture is particularly important and we are convinced that the independence of her office must be maintained.

Mr. President,
Ladies and gentlemen,

We have a full agenda ahead of us this year. We hope that during this year the Council will achieve substantial results that may contribute to the promotion of human rights. The success of the Council’s work is in our hands. I encourage everyone to hear the voice of people who are in the greatest demand today for protection of their rights and freedoms.

I thank you, Mr. President.