In the framework of the Project “Promotion of Democracy – independent information dissemination from the Human Rights perspective“ LGL together with activists from partner countries Belarus and Ukraine, conducted a desk research on the topics of aggressive information in Lithuanian, Belarusian and Ukranian media, the legal framework of each Country and the relation between Human Rights activists
News / LGBT Guide LT / From Lithuania
The National LGBT* rights organization LGL is proud to announce the annual report for 2017. Transparency and independence from any political or financial interests are one of the most important goals for our organization in order to achieve effective inclusion and social integration of local LGBT* community. LGL’s annual report for 2017 comprehensively presents organization’s
On 12th October, 2018 the National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL, in cooperation with international human rights organization “ILGA-Europe” , Transgender Europe (TGEU) and “OII Europe” , made a joint Universal Periodic Review submission to the UN Human Rights Council on the LGBT* human rights situation in the country. The shadow report, submitted by LGL and
Coming to Lithuania, I had only a vague idea of the country, the LGBT rights situation, or the work I was going to be doing. I knew Lithuania was considered one of the most homo-, bi- and transphobic countries in the European Union: that it was one of very few European countries without any legal
It is always important to consider things in context. This means both on the local scale, as well as globally. Working for non-profits and NGOs it can be easy to get caught up in a small silo or on a highly broad conceptual global scale, and while it’s important that work is done in both
On August 30, 2018 fifteen governments in Europe and North America, including Lithuania, released a statement in request for Russia to put an end to serious human rights violations and abuses in Chechnya, involving systematic persecution, detention and torture of perceived or actual homosexuals. Acting as members of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in
In September, 2018 Remigijus Šimašius, the Mayor of Vilnius, recorded a video inviting the residents and quests of Vilnius to participate at the Baltic Pride March for Equality, which will take place in Vilnius on 8 June, 2019. ”Dear friends from all over the world, I am very proud to stand here in support for
On August 10th, 2018 following a series of arson attacks directed at the premises of the National LGBT* rights organization LGL and the apartment of its co-founder and Executive Director Vladimir Simonko, a wave of solidarity amongst the LGBT community in Lithuania emerged. As such, Romas Zabarauskas, an openly gay film director in Lithuania, had
On 20th-24th August, 2018 the representatives of the National LGBT* rights organization LGL participated in an NGO exchange programme in Helsinki (Finland). During the exchange week, LGL’s communication coordinator Eglė Kuktoraitė and LGL member and volunteer Nadežda Petruchina learned about the activities of the local LGBTI organization Seta and participated in meetings with representatives of
In August, 2018 the National LGBT rights organization published educational material for LGBT activists operating in hostile environments. “Restricted Expression: Guidelines and Recommendations for LGBT activists in hostile environments” looks at legislations, both enacted and proposed, aimed at limiting the freedom of speech and expression in Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine. The publication also provides guidelines
On the 10th August, 2018 at 04.00 A. M. the entrance to the office of the National LGBT rights organization LGL was badly damaged by a vicious homophobic attack. The exterior door and door blinds were set on fire using unknown flammable substance. The LGL office is located in the central area of Vilnius. The
United Nations Human Rights Committee has urged Lithuania to ensure LGBTI human rights. The Committee criticized the Law on the Protection of Minors Against the Detrimental Effects of Public Information, which unjustifiably limits freedom of speech on LGBT* matters. The Law states that underage people are harmed by such information and that it should be