A delegation of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) visited Lithuania from 27 November to 1 December 2023 as the first step in the preparation of a monitoring report. During the visit, ECRI’s delegation gathered information on effective equality and access to rights; hate speech and hate-motivated violence; and integration and inclusion.

In Vilnius the delegation held meetings with representatives of the Lithuanian government, equality bodies, international organisations and civil society groups.

The delegation also visited the city of Jonava, where it had meetings with representatives of the municipal authorities as well as providers and beneficiaries of social services and integration support for refugees. The delegation also visited the refugee reception centre in Rukla. 

Following this visit, ECRI will adopt a report in 2024 in which it will make a new set of recommendations on measures to be taken by the authorities to address racism and intolerance in the country. The implementation of two priority recommendations will be reviewed in two years’ time after publication of the report as part of ECRI’s interim follow-up procedure.

In the context of these two priority recommendations, it was indicated that:

• In the field of LGBTI equality, the authorities should take measures to ensure compliance with the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Macatė v. Lithuania (Grand Chamber). 
• as regards equality bodies, the authorities should significantly increase the funding for the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson, the Parliamentary Ombudsperson and the Inspector for Journalist Ethics to be able to fulfil their mandates effectively.  

For more information on previous ECRI reports on Lithuania, please visit ECRI’s country monitoring page.