HRMI presented the 2004 Human Rights overview to the State President. The greatest concern was expressed with regard to violations of the right to respect for private life, the right to fair trial and the right to political participation. Discrimination and children's rights were also among the most violated.
On April 18, following the Press Conference, the round table discussion, Human Rights in Lithuania in 2004: Issues and Potential Solutions, organized on the initiative of the President Valdas Adamkus and the HRMI, took place in the White Hall of the Presidential Palace. Among participants were President's advisers, members of parliament, ministers, judicial leadership, other government officials and representatives of NGOs.
"A disarming illustration of the extent to which human rights are under-appreciated in Lithuania lies in the ratification process of the Treaty for the Constitution of Europe," said Kestutis Cilinskas, Chair of HRMI Board. "In 2004 parliament failed to fully consider the consequences and outcomes of ratification. Moreover, a document of particular political and legal import remained out of public reach in the formal process of government approval. To date, no arguments have been given to explain why."
Problematic areas in the right to political participation include lack of integrity in voting-by-mail and ambiguous voting procedures employed during numerous elections in 2004. Other concerns lingered: eligibility to participate in more than one election, restrictions on public access to information on municipal activities and decision-making processes and political party finance, especially transparency of political party funding.
Major issues emerging within the court system negatively affected the right to fair trial. "Persistent questions that went unanswered included: insularity of the judicial branch, unprofessional management of the judicial system, inadequate accountability, a flawed budgetary process and shortcomings in court administration, including case assignment procedures," commented Henrikas Mickevicius. "The gap between justice expected and justice delivered is growing," he said.
Children continued to count among the most vulnerable social groups. "Violence against children was widespread at home and at school, while the problem of street children was largely unaddressed. The scope of sexual abuse and exploitation appeared worrisome," said Dovile Sakaliene. "Brutal attitudes towards children in the society coupled with the lack of sharp-cut children's rights policy only deepens the problem."
© 2012 Human Rights Monitoring Institute