On 11th October, during the 12th session of the Universal Periodic Review working group, Lithuanian State was questioned by the Members States of the Human Rights Council about the actions that have been undertaken to improve the human rights situation in the country and to fulfill the human rights obligations.

Lithuanian Gay League in collaboration with other NGOs contributed to the preparation of documents for this session. The overview on the status of LGBT individuals in Lithuania submitted by LGL in collaboration with ILGA-Europe shed light on the infringements of LGBT human rights in the Lithuanian legal framework. The document drew the attention of several Member States which raised questions concerning protection of LGBT rights in Lithuania. The session reviewing Lithuania included many  oral inquires related to non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity brought up by Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden,  Switzerland and USA. The advanced questions to Lithuania were submitted in written form by Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and UK.

Main points referring to LGBT human rights in Lithuania encompassed questions about the freedom of assembly and expression; the discriminatory articles in the Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information; the legislative proposals put on the Parliament’s autumn agenda (ban of gender reassignment and protection of constitutional moral values); measures undertaken to combat hate crimes and intolerance.

Norway recommended also strengthening the competence, role and mandate of the Lithuanian human rights protection offices, as well as closer cooperation with the civil society on the issues related to human rights.