News

At the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva on July 10, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė confirmed Lithuania’s commitment to respect and protect human rights, highlighted the importance of cooperation with international institutions aiming to improve legal protection of human rights and shape human rights policy in Lithuania.

The Vice-Minister presented Lithuania’s Third Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Later, during the conversation, members of the Committee took interest in practical implementation of the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence, situation of prisoners in current detention facilities, opportunities for women in the civil service, and ethnic minority issues. Members of the Committee also discussed issues related to freedom of expression, prohibition of torture and legal regulation of pre-trial investigation. They welcomed the new legislation on probation that had recently entered into force.

The Human Rights Committee is to submit recommendations to Lithuania, which will be based on the country’s report and aim to help further improve the protection of human rights. Lithuania will have to inform about the implementation of these recommendations during the presentation of its Fourth Periodic Report.

The UN Human Rights Committee is composed of 18 highly qualified human rights experts from various countries, who are overseeing the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in the countries that have acceded to this international document. Lithuania acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on March 12, 1991.