Expression
The Lithuanian president vetoed amendments to the penal code which could have imposed criminal liability on journalists who reported information from court proceedings which are not public and which mostly relate to child and family matters. Seemingly heeding calls from the journalist community, the President rejected the proposals saying they undermined fundamental principles of democracy, restricted the freedom of speech and created conditions for journalists’ unjustified prosecution.
Peaceful Assembly
Recent protests in Lithuania - including a farmers' protest in reaction to low milk prices - were peaceful, and police protected protestors. This year's Pride Parade went ahead without incident, marking an improvement on previous years, when organisers had to go to court in order to get approval. In a separate demonstration, approximately 300 people protested against the new Labor Code, claiming it will have a negative impact on employees' social benefits, which could fuel emigration.