Statement by Lithuania - 22 March 2001

Mister Chairman,
Madam High Commissioner,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me, at the beginning of my statement, to congratulate you, Mr. Chairman, and the Bureau of the Commission on the election and to express my conviction that under the wise guidance of H.E. Ambassador Leandro Despouy from Argentina this session of the Commission will be an example of constructive dialogue and fruitful co-operation.

Lithuania has aligned itself with the statement of the European Union, presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden. Yet please allow me to make some additional remarks.

It is of great significance that the new century and new millennium start with the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. I would like to welcome and wish success to South Africa whose city of Durban will host the Conference.

In this context I would like to quote Her Excellency Madam Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “The World Conference against Racism will place the spotlight firmly on the problem of racism in all its forms. It comes at an appropriate time, firstly because we need to re-evaluate what has and has not been achieved and, secondly because we are witnessing a notable rise in racism and xenophobia”.

Only five months are left to finalize the preparations for the World Conference. We need the documents - the Declaration of the World Conference and the Programme of Action - to be concrete, readable and action oriented. Let me express the hope that the Second session of the Preparatory Committee of the World Conference will be capable of achieving its goals, which are of paramount importance, and conclude the preparation of the draft documents for the Conference. It is important that the World Conference provides concrete and measurable objectives to be fully implemented at a national level by every Member State of the UN.

As regards the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, I would like to highlight our national preparation for it and in particular the position of national minorities in Lithuania. People of 109 nationalities live in Lithuania and many efforts are undertaken to ensure that they feel at home in our country. Among other steps in achieving this goal, in 2000 Lithuania ratified the Framework Convention of the Council of Europe for Protection of National Minorities. The Government is actively supporting the economic, social and cultural development of people belonging to national minorities. Special programmes are approved to reach this goal – the Programme for Social and Cultural Integration of National Minorities and the Programme on the Use and Promotion of the State Language. This second program has special provisions for assistance to persons belonging to national minorities to improve their knowledge of the Lithuanian language. Thus they will be able to participate in all spheres of social life more fully.

Particular attention was given to the assistance to some vulnerable national or ethnic groups. The Government has approved a Program for the integration of the Roma. It provides for a concrete action plan through 2004 to create conditions for the integration of the Roma into our society while concurrently preserving their national identity.

Mr. Chairman,

It is logical that the main theme of this session of the Commission on Human Rights is Tolerance. The importance of this subject has over the years certainly not diminished. Too often in today’s societies human rights violations and conflicts find their roots in acts of discrimination and intolerance. Respect for the principles of non-discrimination and tolerance are indispensable for the functioning of democracy and contribute to the stability and security of society. Globalisation underlines the importance of tolerance even more. We should realise the advantages that a global planet can bring to improving the quality of life worldwide and suggest ways for dialogue and cooperation.

The General Assembly proclaimed the year 2001 as the United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilisations. This April Lithuania is hosting an international European conference on Dialogue among Civilisations. H.E. Mr. Valdas Adamkus, the President of Lithuania, H.E. Mr. Alexander Kwasniewski, the President of Poland and the Director General of UNESCO H.E. Mr. Koichiro Matsuura have given their patronage to the Conference and will co-chair it. The Conference will bring together heads of state, heads of international organizations and distinguished scholars and artists from different continents to discuss ways for pursuing dialogue among civilisations aiming at mutual understanding, tolerance, solidarity and co-operation among different world cultures.

Mr. Chairman,

I believe that we all have the aim that human rights be respected worldwide and that no one responsible for violations shall be able to escape. Therefore, I welcome the valuable work done by the International Tribunals, especially the first convictions by the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. Last year Balkans were at the centre of our attention. Sadly, it remains in our attention this year too, and the latest events underline the importance to seek ways to avoid further escalation of violence there. Lithuania, which is preparing to assume Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe next autumn, will pay particular attention to this region.

Mr. Chairman,

Global ratification of the basic treaties of the UN human rights treaty system and acceptance of the principles set in these documents has unquestionable importance. However, the treaties themselves would not affect real life if they would remain unimplemented in the national legal systems and transformed into rules, in accordance with which national institutions function. In this respect activities of the treaty-monitoring bodies are of paramount importance. Ratification of human rights treaties provides the necessary conditions for reforms of national legislation bringing it into conformity with the treaties. Reports by monitoring bodies provide the basis for further development of this process. Shorter period between the presentation of reports and their consideration at the monitoring bodies would be more useful as situations change during the interims.

Lithuania views the concluding observations of the UN conventions’ monitoring bodies as a basis for further development of its human rights protection. The network of Lithuanian human rights protection laws and institutions is also being influenced by the alignment of Lithuanian laws with those of the European Union. Concluding observations of the afore-mentioned treaty-monitoring bodies, as well as Regular Report from the Commission for 2000, enumerated a number of areas for improvement. For example, among the main steps following the recommendations on Lithuania’s report on implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, our Government included into its plan of action the preparation of the State program on Equal Opportunities of Women and Men. The concluding observations on implementation of the rights provided for in the Convention on the Rights of the Child are being thoroughly examined. Other areas being addressed in the Government work programme for the years 2000-2004 are draft laws and programmes ensuring equal opportunities for men and women, prevention of trafficking in human beings and anti-corruption measures. Recently the Government approved a National Programme Against Commercial Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Against Children. Changes were made concerning the development of the system of legal administration. The Law on State Legal Aid was adopted. It proves for assistance from the State to those who have financial difficulties in getting qualified legal aid. Another step was the transfer of the administration of prisons to the Ministry of Justice, thus establishing civil control of the institutions and converting their staffs to public servants. Changes were made also in legislation concerning the status of refugees.

One of the aspects of activities in the field of human rights involves development of effective mechanisms for people to protect their rights. We have created an independent court system and ombudsman offices. At the present time Lithuania has paid special attention to the development of two specific ombudsmen: the Ombudsman for Equal Opportunities of Women and Men and the Ombudsman for Children. To further nurture equality between women and men, a year ago the Government established the Commission for Equal Opportunities with its principal goal of enhancing the activities of governmental institutions in this field.

Mr. Chairman,

I would like to draw your attention to two more important parts of the “machinery” of human rights protection: mass media and NGO’s. The human rights work of governmental institutions is supplemented by non-governmental organizations. Administration of different projects and performance of surveys help to develop protection of human rights by identifying matters of concern and proposing ways of resolving them. On the other hand, it is clear that not only legislation and policies will ensure protection of human rights and foster a climate of tolerance and non-discrimination. Awareness raising and education in all sectors of society are needed as well. Mass media should be encouraged to promote the ideas of tolerance and mutual understanding among people.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.