News

On 2 March at the 78th Session of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Geneva, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė presented the newest amendments to Lithuania’s legislation in efforts to combat discrimination, state institutions’ endeavor to ensure the implementation of international commitments and the latest initiatives to promote tolerance.Vice-Minister A.Skaisgirytė Liauškienė acquainted members of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with the fourth and fifth consolidated periodic reports of Lithuania under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

The Vice-Minister noted that in the recent years there were a few amendments to Lithuania’s legislation aimed at combating all forms of racial discrimination. Lithuania has undergone several changes in legislation to combat racial discrimination, including adoption of relevant amendments which strengthened criminal liability for hate crimes, incitement of hatred on the grounds of race, nationality or religion.

In 2009, the Criminal Code was amended and a new version of the Law on Equal Treatment was adopted in 2008, the Law on the Provision of Information to the Public was complemented in 2010.

“Tolerance cannot be taken for granted. Promoting tolerance requires concrete actions from both governments and civil societies,” - Vice-Minister A.Skaisgirytė Liauškienė said.

According to her, the society is fully aware of the fact that even the best anti-discrimination laws are not effective unless they are consistently applied.

The Vice-Minister emphasized the importance of education and the activities of non-governmental organizations in promoting greater mutual understanding in the society.

“We believe that the role of education and awareness-raising measures in combating intolerance is of utmost importance. We put also particular emphasis on this issue on the agenda of Lithuania’s Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe,” - Vice-Minister A.Skaisgirytė Liauškienė said.

Lithuania ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination on 10 November 1998. In accordance with the provisions of the Convention, parties to the Convention must periodically submit reports on the implementation of the Convention to the United Nations.