Introduction
Lithuania elects new MEPs
Following the elections for the European Parliament on 9th June 2024, the ruling Lithuanian party Homeland Union-Democrats of Lithuania (part of the centre-right EPP group) emerged as winner, securing three seats in the new legislature. The centre-left Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (S&D), which was ahead in pre-election polls, came in second and won two seats.
However, the turnout in Lithuania was one of the lowest in the European Union, as only 28,35% of eligible voters in the country cast their ballot. Five years prior, the turnout was at 53,48%.One of the reasons for the low turnout is that the Lithuanian presidential election, which is perceived by many as more important, was held on 12th and 26th May 2024, four and two weeks before the EP elections.
Human rights unprotected: Council of Europe criticises Lithuania's prison conditions
On 18th July 2024, the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) released a report following its February 2024 visit to Lithuania. The visit aimed to assess progress on issues previously highlighted in the Committee’s 2021 report, including widespread inter-prisoner violence and rampant drug use in prisons.
The CPT noted some improvements compared to its previous visit, but emphasised that legal and organisational changes have only partially addressed the problems. The report highlighted persistent problems such as inadequate staff presence, informal prisoner hierarchies and ongoing drug trafficking in prisons. The CPT urged Lithuanian authorities to take decisive action, warning that failure to do so could lead to a public statement under Article 10 of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Amnesty International Condemns Lithuania's Withdrawal from Cluster Munitions Treaty
In July 2024, the Seimas, Lithuania’s Parliament, voted to withdraw from the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans the use and production of cluster munitions due to their long-term danger to civilians.
Cluster munitions are a type of explosive weapon designed to disperse smaller bombs, known as submunitions or bomblets, over a wide area. The bomblets are released mid-air and scatter across a large zone, sometimes covering an area as big as a football field. The unexploded bomblets remain dangerous for years, effectively becoming landmines that can detonate later, posing serious risks to civilians long after a conflict has ended.
Amnesty International has condemned Lithuania’s decision to withdraw from the Convention, calling it “disastrous.” The watchdog urged Lithuania to reconsider the decision, warning that this move undermines global efforts to protect civilians in conflict zones. Lithuania is the first country to withdraw from the Convention since its adoption in 2008.
Freedom of Expression
Draft amendment to Lithuanian law on national radio and television threatens funding model
On 14th June 2024, Mindaugas Lingė, a conservative Member of the Lithuanian Parliament, submitted a draft amendment to the Law on Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), proposing to remove its minimum funding guarantee. The main justification is to prevent a disproportionate growth rate of LRT’s revenues from the state budget. The proposed new funding model links financing to the growth of Lithuania’s gross domestic product (GDP) and aims to achieve a “fairer” balance between commercial media and the public broadcaster. LRT voiced their concern about the proposed abolition of the minimum funding threshold, which serves as a safeguard to ensure adequate funding for public service broadcasters.
Lithuania’s 15min Group signs deal with M-1 radio stations
On 1st July 2024, the Lithuanian-owned media and digital business group 15min Group announced that it will acquire the M-1 Group of radio stations. The deal is expected to close by the end of the summer, but it is still subject to approval by the Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission and the governmental commission vetting transactions by strategic companies.
Last year, in January 2023, the Baltic media group TV3 announced its plans to acquire the M-1 Group. However, the Competition Council refused to approve the deal in September 2023.
Freedom of Assembly
Belarusians take to the street on anniversary of crackdown
On 9th August 2024, several dozen Belarusians took to the streets in central Vilnius to protest the Lukashenko government. The date marked the fourth anniversary of the contested 2020 presidential election in Belarus. The “Free Belarusians Campaign” began its march in Cathedral Square, with people carrying the flags of the Belarusian opposition movement. The demonstration ended in front of the Belarusian Embassy, where participants paid tribute to victims of repression by the Lukashenko regime.
Lithuanian officials expressed solidarity with the protesters and the Belarusian opposition. The Foreign Ministry reiterated that Lithuania’s position towards the Lukashenko regime is “strictly uncompromising,” stating, “We do not recognise Lukashenko as president, we consider his regime illegitimate (…)”. Also on 9th August 2024, parliamentary speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen added, “Lithuania has always been committed to freedom, human rights and democracy. Today, those fighting for the same values in Belarus have found refuge in Lithuania. Lithuania is determined to support their efforts towards democratic reforms. (…)”.
Lithuanian Pride parade attracts thousands of participants; Christian groups stage counter-protest
On 8th June 2024, the March for Equality took place in Vilnius as part of the Lithuanian Pride festival, attracting a crowd of around 20,000 people. Participants chanted slogans such as “Freedom is love”, “Trans rights - human rights” and “We are everywhere”. Members of various political parties joined the parade, including Finance Minister Aušrinė Armonaitė from the Freedom Party and representatives from the Lithuanian Green Party. Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas greeted participants at Cathedral Square.
The event also faced opposition from five small groups, primarily Christian organisations. Near the Martynas Mažvydas National Library, media reported that an unidentified man burned rainbow flags before police detained him.
A few weeks later, on 18th July 2024, the same man, now identified as Raimondas Šimaitis, a self-proclaimed activist, burned an LGBTQI+ flag near the parliament building to protest potential legislation on civil unions, including same-sex partnerships. Although a vote on the bill was not scheduled, Šimaitis and a small group of supporters gathered to express their opposition to the legislation, claiming it is part of a broader agenda that threatens Lithuania’s population growth.
Although LGBTQI+ events are more welcome in the capital today than they were a decade ago, experts emphasise that members of the community still lack adequate rights and legal protection. However, large-scale events like the Pride Parades can help raise visibility and awareness and encourage policy makers to enact the necessary legislation. The Senior Advisor to the Discrimination Prevention and Communications Group of the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman commented: “Equally important is the example the country’s government sets for its citizens - we still don't have laws that guarantee equal rights for all couples and families, as well as transgender people”.