Overview of Human Rights in LT 2016

“#LAISVA_LT: Overview of Human Rights in Lithuania 2016“

December 9th, 2016

On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, Lithuanian Centre for Human Rights (LCHR), Human Rights

Embassy of Finland in Vilnius

Monitoring Institute (HRMI) and National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL cordially invite to the seminar-discussion “#LAISVA_LT: Overview of Human Rights in Lithuania“, which will take place on December 9th, 2016 at 2:00-4:30 PM at the premises of the Embassy of Finland in Lithuania (K. Kalinausko Str. 24, Vilnius). .

Organizers: Lithuanian Centre for Human Rights (LCHR), Human Rights Monitoring Institute (HRMI), National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL

Sponsors: Embassy of Finland in Vilnius and ILGAEurope

Please register for the event before December 7th at the following address: http://goo.gl/forms/pXhb8vyz8L

Seminar-Discussion “#LAISVA_LT: Overview of Human Rights in Lithuania 2016“ Overview 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 seminardiscussion “#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.

During the event, representatives from nongovernmental organizations will discuss human rights issues particularly relevant under the present day social and political conditions in Lithuania, namely: (1) the United Nations‘ (UN) human rights recommendations to Lithuania in its Universal Periodic Review; (2) the increase in cases of restriction of freedom of expression in Lithuania; (3) the negative impact that the amendment to Article 38 of the Constitution, on the definition of family, could have on Lithuanian families.

In September and October of this year, nongovernmental organizations 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.

The event will be in English and Lithuanian (simultaneous translation). The event is partially funded

by ILGA-Europe.

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we‘ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.“ - Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States of America

Event location Embassy of Finland in Vilnius (K. Kalinausko Str. 24, Vilnius)

www.laisva.lt

Why to attend? 



 

To get acquainted with NGOs‘ positions regarding the most pressing human rights issues in Lithuania.

To draw legislators‘, policy and decision makers‘ attention to the challenge of developing comprehensive national policies on equal opportunities.

To raise awareness about specific human rights issues.

To promote the networking of local equality and diversityoriented NGOs with the view of formulating common positions on the core human rights issues.

Who should attend?   

  

Civil society representatives Legislators, policy and decision makers Representatives of institutions responsible for the execution of national equality policies Members of marginalized social groups Members of the academic community General public

Seminar-Discussion “#LAISVA_LT: Overview of Human Rights in Lithuania 2016“ Programme Event Details 14:00 Welcome coffee and registration

Date:

December 9th, 2016 (Friday)

Time:

2:00-4:30 PM

Place:

Embassy of Finland in Vilnius (K. Kalinausko Str. 24, Vilnius)

14:30 Opening remarks: Agneta Skardžiuvienė (Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson of the Republic of Lithuania) Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen (Member of the Human Rights Committee in the Lithuanian Parliament) (TBC) Dovilė Šakalienė (Member of the European Affairs Committee in the Lithuanian Parliament) Christer Michelsson (Finnish Ambassador to Lithuania and Belarus) 14:50 Presentation: United Nations (UN) Recommendations to Lithuania in its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Birutė Sabatauskaitė (Lithuanian Center for Human Rights) 15:10 Presentation: Cases of Interference with the Right to Freedom of Expression in Lithuania: Censorship or Necessary Measures in a Democratic Society?

https://www.facebook.com/ events/530555453774352/ www.facebook.com/LCTZ.LCHR www.facebook.com/HRMI.LT www.facebook.com/LGL.LT

www.laisva.lt

Mėta Adutavičiūtė (Human Rights Monitoring Institute) 15:30 Presentation: Amending Article 38 of the Constitution on the Definition of Family: Motives, Consequences and Prospects Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius

Contact:

(National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL)

Ingrida Kaulinytė

15:50 Questions and Discussion: Moderated by Mindaugas Jackevičius (journalist, delfi.lt) www.laisva.lt

intern@gay.lt +370 645 01148