News

On 8 December, the Minister Linas Linkevičius held a meeting with the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks, who pays his first official visit to Lithuania. During the meeting, the head of Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry noted that Lithuania fully implemented its commitments to human rights and supported the institution and activities of the Commissioner for Human Rights.

According to Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, today Europe faces new security threats, including various forms of aggression. Thus, it is especially important to maintain respect for the fundamental values of the Council of Europe – the rule of law, democracy and human rights.

“The Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights are among the essential instruments to maintain peace, security and stability in the entire region,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister.

Linkevičius noted that Lithuania paid special attention to conflict prevention, media freedom, the safety of journalists, the fight against discrimination and violence against women.

“It is necessary to ensure freedom of expression and the safety of journalists for building a strong and sustainable society. Lithuania has dedicated and will continue to consistently give its priority attention to these issues,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister.

The meeting discussed the deteriorating situation of human rights in Russia-occupied Crimea and in occupied territories of eastern Ukraine, which were turning into gray zones due to their isolation. Linkevičius expressed hope that the Commissioner would be promptly granted free and unhindered access to Crimea in order to monitor the human rights.

During his visit to Lithuania, the Commissioner also met with the Prime Minister of Lithuania, advisors to the President, the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Justice, representatives of the Ministry of Social Security and Labor, the Ministry of Education and Science, members of the Seimas (Parliament), the Seimas Ombudsmen, the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson, the Children’s Rights Ombudsman, the Inspector of Journalist Ethics, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations.

During his meetings with representatives of the Lithuanian authorities, the Commissioner focused on women’s rights, children’s rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, gender equality and the fight against domestic violence. The Commissioner noted that in order to ensure adequate protection against domestic violence, it was important to ratify and implement the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).

The institution of the Commissioner for Human Rights was established in 1999 by the Council of Europe to promote awareness of and respect for human rights in the 47 Council of Europe member states. The fundamental objectives of the Commissioner for Human Rights are the following: to foster the effective observance of human rights and assist member states in the implementation of the Council of Europe human rights standards.