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
News / Human Rights
Bullying at school is a universal issue, believes Joseph G. Kosciw, the Head of the Research and Strategy at the Gay, Lesbian and Heterosexual Education Network (GLSEN). However, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) students receive it even from teachers. In an interview with IQ reporter Kosciw said that this even can be partly attributed
On October 4-7, 2018 Eglė Kuktoraitė, Communications Coordinator of National LGBT* rights organization LGL, participated in the annual conference organized by the international LGBTI youth and student organization “IGLYO” in Edinburgh (United Kingdom). During the annual “IGLYO” conference, members of the organization had an opportunity to discuss the future goals for “IGLYO”, admit new members,
On September 25th, 2018 the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania began the procedure aimed at determining whether Constitutional provisions regarding freedom of movement of family members apply for same-sex couples. The case dates back to 2015 when a Belarussian citizen married to a Lithuanian man and applied to the immigration authorities for permission
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
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
Ministers and representatives of the member countries of the Equal Rights Coalition have met in a global conference in Vancouver, Canada. In the conference, spanning from the 5th of August to the 7th of August, the representatives have pledged to build a world where no one is left behind – regardless of their sexual orientation,
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
In 2010 the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted the Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. All Member States including Lithuania agreed upon this Recommendation. In July, 2018 the National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL prepared a documentation report to assess what actions have