On 9 December, 2022 the National LGBT rights organization LGL organized a discussion “The first EU LGBTIQ equality strategy 2020-2025: will LGBTIQ-inclusive policy become integral to Lithuanian strategic targets?” at the National Human Rights Forum.
The first EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 calls on the EU Member States to draw up national action plans for the equality of LGBTIQ persons, based on examples of best practices. This aims to strengthen the protection of LGBTIQ persons against discrimination and to ensure the implementation of the goals and actions outlined in this strategy at the national level.
The discussion was opened by welcoming speech by H.E. Robert S. Gilchrist, Ambassador of the United States of America, and video greeting by EU Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli.
At the 5th National Human Rights Forum in Vilnius, I called on Lithuania to adopt a national LGBTIQ action plan.
EU support and funding is available to help with this in line with the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy.
🇪🇺🇱🇹🏳️🌈#UnionOfEquality pic.twitter.com/ZfEcTHvvfg
— Helena Dalli (@helenadalli) December 12, 2022
Justina Jakštienė, Deputy Minister of Social Security and Labor of the Republic of Lithuania; Agnė Kazlauskaitė, Deputy Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Lithuania; Vytautas Valentinavičius, Head of the Human Rights Division of the Seimas Ombudspersons’ Office; Daníel E. Arnarsson, Executive Director of the National Queer Organization of Iceland “Samtokin 78”; Vladimir Simonko, Executive Director of the National LGBT rights organization LGL participated at the discussion. The discussion was moderated by Monika Antanaitytė, lawyer, human rights activist.
Human Rights Forum 2022 featured a strong message for LGBTIQ equality: Helena Dalli, EU Commissioner for Equality urged Lithuania to adopt a national LGBTIQ action plan while Dunja Mijatovič, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe expressed hope that Lithuania will be soon joining Member States that provide legal arrangements for protecting same-sex partners.
@Augustas Didžgalvis photography
Daníel E. Arnarsson’s participation at the National Human Rights Forum’s discussion is part of the bilateral cooperation initiative “Development of LGL and Samtokin78 Partnership: Exchange of Best Practices and Identification of Strategic Partnership Directions”. The initiative is part of the Active Citizens Fund, financed by the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Norwegian Financial Mechanisms.
