Seminar-Discussion “#LAISVA_LT: Overview of Human Rights in Lithuania“

Seminar-Discussion “#LAISVA_LT: Overview of Human Rights in Lithuania“

On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, Lithuanian Centre for Human Rights, Human Rights Monitoring Institute and National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL cordially invite you to the seminar-discussion “#LAISVA_LT: Overview of Human Rights in Lithuania“. As pointed out by non-governmental organizations that monitor and document human rights situation in Lithuania, these rights are still not being considered to be a relevant part of the political agenda. In the battle against the country‘s worsening demographic situation, politicians often forget that respect for each person‘s fundamental human rights, freedoms and dignity is a prerequisite for ensuring that anyone can feel welcome in Lithuania.

In the course of the seminar-discussion, the representatives of the civil society will discuss some of the most pressing human rights challenges under the present day conditions:

(1) the United Nations‘ (UN) human rights recommendations to Lithuania in its Universal Periodic Review (presented by Birutė Sabatauskaitė, Lithuanian Centre for Human Rights);

(2) the increase in cases of restriction of freedom of expression in Lithuania (presented by Mėta Adutavičiūtė, Human Rights Monitoring Institute);

(3) the negative impact that the amendment to Article 38 of the Constitution, on the definition of family, could have on Lithuanian families (presented by Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius, National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL).

The participants of the event will be welcomed by the Ombudsperson of the Equal Opportunities Agneta Skardžiuvienė, the Member of the Lithuanian Parliament Dovilė Šakalienė, the representative of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Olena Petsun and the Ambassador of Finland in Lithuania and Belarus Christer Michelsson. The discussion will be moderated by Mindaugas Jackevičius (journalist, delfi.lt).

The languages of the event will be Lithuanian and English (synchronised translation).

The programme of the event in English can be reviewed here:

The event on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/events/568711126656645.

By registering online (until December 7th, 2016) you can assist us in estimating, how many participants we can greet with a cup of coffee and a delicious treat. You can do it here: http://goo.gl/forms/pXhb8vyz8L.

In September and October of this year, non-governmental organizations Lithuanian Centre for Human Rights, Human Rights Monitoring Institute and National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL initiated the #LAISVA_LT social campaign, which aimed to draw attention to legislative efforts to narrow the constitutional definition of family. The seminar-discussion will also feature the diverse Lithuanian families featured in the campaign‘s video clips and photo stories, who will explain what the word „family“ means to them personally. For more information on #LAISVA_LT campaign, please consult www.laisva.lt.

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Organizers and supporters:

remejai