News

On 15 October in Vilnius, an international meeting organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US non-governmental organisation Freedom House adopted a statement calling on democracies to act together to protect human rights and freedoms and support those fighting for them under repressive regimes.

The event, dedicated to protecting human rights defenders, supporting democratic movements and responding to growing cooperation between authoritarian regimes, was opened by Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys.

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 across borders, spreading disinformation and seeking to influence political processes in other countries. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, supported by authoritarian regimes, constitutes the most brutal violation of fundamental human rights and the international order. The Minister called for concerted efforts to prevent aggression and human rights violations and to ensure that all those responsible are held to account.

The discussions were also attended by Chair of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs Remigijus Motuzas, Committee member Ruslanas Baranovas, foreign officials, human rights experts and representatives of civil society. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lina Rukštelienė, who also took part in the event, stressed the importance of continued cooperation and international solidarity in supporting those fighting for freedom, democracy and human rights.

Former political prisoners, democratic opposition leaders and human rights defenders from Belarus, Russia, Cuba, Venezuela and Ukraine shared their experiences of repression by authoritarian regimes, the situation of political prisoners, the threats posed by transnational repression and the challenges facing democratic movements operating in difficult circumstances. Participants highlighted Lithuania’s role in providing refuge to persecuted activists, raising the issue of political prisoners in international organisations and consistently pursuing accountability for human rights violations and international crimes.

The meeting also addressed concrete steps to strengthen support for political prisoners and their families, improve protection for persecuted activists, representatives of the democratic opposition and independent journalists, enhance coordination among democracies and strengthen their collective response. Participants agreed to continue cooperation and strengthen ties between human rights defenders, representatives of the democratic opposition and governments in order to defend the principles of democracy and human rights more effectively around the world. They stressed that the experiences of activists from Belarus, Russia, Cuba, Venezuela and other countries under repressive regimes demonstrate that the struggle for freedom and human dignity is a shared one, and that solidarity and international support therefore remain essential.