UPR - Lithuania accepts a range of SOGI recommendations

The draft report of the Universal Periodic Review of Lithuania was adopted by the UPR Working Group on 14th October 2011. Lithuania received a grand total of 15 recommendations relating to sexual orientation and gender identity, of which 10 were accepted, and 5 remain under consideration. The delegation took the time to respond to concerns expressed, stating that the government did not condone discrimination against LGBT persons, and that they were taking increasing measures to combat hate crimes based on SO/GI.

A full report of SOGI references will be sent out at the 12th UPR session soon.
Meanwhile, a summary of the recommendations made to Lithuania follows:

88. The recommendations listed below enjoy the support of Lithuania:

1. 88.4. Refrain from adopting legislative measures which criminalise homosexual relations or breach the rights to freedom of expression and to non-discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (Belgium);
2. 88.5. Refrain from legislative initiatives which may criminalise homosexual relations between consenting adults (Slovenia);
3. 88.23. Develop public awareness campaigns to combat manifestations of discrimination and racism, including xenophobia, homophobia, anti-Semitism, and other forms of intolerance in order to further protect and strengthen the rights of members of minority groups, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and the Roma Community (United States of America);
4. 88.24. Consider/study the possibility to take additional measures to combat discrimination against LGBT people (Argentina);
5. 88.25. Take action in order to avoid discrimination of LGBT persons, in practice and through law (Sweden);
6. 88.26. Carefully consider whether the right balance is struck when the main street of Vilnius is made available for annual marches by neo-Nazis on Independence Day, whilst vulnerable groups like the LGBT society are refused to use the same venue, and are referred to less attractive locations (Norway);
7. 88.27. Take further steps to eliminate discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity (Ireland);
8. 88.31. Take all necessary measures to prevent and prosecute all forms of violence and harassment related to sexual orientation and gender identity (Slovenia);
9. 88.33. Continue to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are able to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and assembly (Australia);
10. 88.34. Ensure the full respect for freedom of expression and freedom of assembly for all, including LGBT people (Slovenia);

90. The following recommendations will be examined by Lithuania which will provide responses in due time, but no later than the 19th session of the Human Rights Council in March 2012:

1. 90.10. Review the Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information in order to remove all possibilities that this law may be applied in such a way to stigmatise or discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people or to breach their rights to freedom of assembly or expression (Belgium);
2. 90.11. Introduce necessary measures to ensure full respect of human rights for all including for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, by reviewing the Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information (Switzerland);
3. 90.12. Take the necessary legislative measures and enact policies that recognise the diversity of families and provide same sex couples with the same rights and social security benefits as heterosexual couples (Netherlands);
4. 90.13. Take steps to ensure that legislation protects the full rights of sexual minorities (Denmark);
5. 90.15. Repeal any discriminatory provision in existing laws on sexual orientation and gender identity (Slovenia);