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On 15 October, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys took part in the Vilnius Freedom Summit, a conference dedicated to protecting human rights defenders, supporting democratic movements and responding to growing cooperation between authoritarian regimes.

Addressing the participants, the Minister stressed that authoritarian regimes are increasingly coordinating their actions, not only by suppressing freedom of expression and civil society within their own countries, but also by persecuting opposition figures, human rights defenders and independent journalists beyond their borders. Budrys emphasised that democracies must act together to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and support those who fight for them under repressive regimes.

“We must be honest with ourselves. The free world is under attack today. Bombs may not be falling everywhere, but authoritarian regimes are seeking to influence our societies, manipulate the information space and shape our future. Only by acting together, learning from one another and maintaining solidarity can we effectively stand up to authoritarianism and better support those who continue to fight for freedom around the world. Although our histories differ, we are united by the same aspiration: to build free societies, strengthen accountable institutions, respect human dignity and defend fundamental rights and freedoms,” the Minister said.

Budrys stressed that the most brutal violation of fundamental human rights and the international order today is Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which is supported and sustained by a number of authoritarian regimes. The Minister called for international efforts to be mobilised to stop the aggression, prevent human rights violations and ensure that all those responsible for these crimes are held to account.

The Foreign Minister also reaffirmed Lithuania’s commitment to defending the values of freedom, democracy and human rights.

“Lithuania is a country that knows the price of freedom. For Lithuanians, freedom is more than a political concept. It is in our DNA, part of our historical memory and collective identity. That is why our commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights is firm and unwavering,” the Minister said.

The conference was organised by the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the US non-governmental organisation Freedom House. It brought together former political prisoners, democratic opposition leaders, human rights defenders and representatives of civil society from Belarus, Cuba, Russia, Ukraine and Venezuela.