LITHUANIA: Children's rights in UN Treaty Body Reports

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Summary: This report extracts mentions of children's rights issues in the reports of all UN Treaty Bodies and their follow-up procedures. This does not include the Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child which are available here: http://www.crin.org/resources/treaties/index.asp

Please note that the language may have been edited in places for the purpose of clarity.

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UN Human Rights Committee
(CCPR/C/LTU/CO/3)
Last reported: 10 and 11 July 2012
Concluding Observations published: 31 August 2012

Concerns raised:

  • Domestic violence: While noting the recent enactment of the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence, the Committee remains concerned at the high prevalence of violence, in particular domestic violence, against women, and the absence of effective measures to protect victims thereof (art. 2).

    The State party should allocate sufficient resources to ensure the effective implementation of the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence and the National Strategy for Combating Violence against Women, and should guarantee the availability of a sufficient number of safe and adequately funded shelters as well as legal aid to the victims of such violence. (Paragraph 6)
     

  • Restrictions on information and discrimination against LGBT persons: The Committee is concerned that certain legal instruments such as the Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information (art. 7) may be applied in a manner unduly restrictive of the freedom of expression guaranteed under the Covenant and may have the effect of justifying discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. The Committee is furthermore concerned at various legislative proposals, including amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences, the Constitution, and the Civil Code which, were they to be adopted, would impact negatively on the enjoyment of fundamental rights by LGBT individuals. The Committee is also concerned at the increasing negative attitudes against, and stigmatisation of, such persons in society, which has manifested itself in instances of violence and discrimination, and at reports of reluctance on the part of police officers and prosecutors to pursue allegations of human rights violations against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity (arts. 2, 19 and 26).

    The State party should take all necessary measures to ensure that its legislation is not interpreted and applied in a discriminatory manner against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The State party should implement broad awareness-raising campaigns, as well as trainings for law enforcement officials, to counter negative sentiments against LGBT individuals. It should consider adopting a targeted national action plan on the issue. The Committee, finally, recalls the obligation of the State party to guarantee all human rights of such individuals, including the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of assembly. (Paragraph 8)
     

  • Corporal punishment: While noting the recently adopted Law on the Protection Against Domestic Violence and further noting the intention of the State party to enact the necessary legislation to address this issue in other settings, the Committee is nevertheless concerned that corporal punishment is currently not explicitly prohibited by law in schools, penal institutions, and in alternative care settings (art. 7).

    The State party should take practical measures to put an end to corporal punishment in all institutional settings. (Paragraph 10)
     

  • Trafficking: While noting the various programmes implemented by the State party to combat trafficking in human beings, including through international cooperation, and to support victims of trafficking, the Committee is concerned at the continued existence of this problem in the State party, and in particular by information that children under 18 years of age, in particular adolescent girls living in boarding schools, special child-education and care homes, governmental and non-governmental child-care homes, and those in risk families, very often become victims of trafficking (art. 8).

    The State party should continue its efforts to combat trafficking of human beings and balance its criminal response with protection measures for victims. It should pay particular attention to preventing sexual exploitation of children in this regard. The State party should, furthermore, expand its cooperation with other States in eliminating trafficking across national borders. Lastly, it should evaluate the impact of its programmes with a view to addressing the root causes of the problem. (Paragraph 11)

(CCPR/CO/80/LTU)
Last Reported: 24 and 25 March 2004
Concluding Observations Adopted: 1 April 2004

Concerns Raised:

  • Domestic violence: The Committee is concerned that incidents of domestic violence against women and children are rising. While noting the efforts made by the State party to combat domestic violence, including the National Equal Opportunities Programme and the Action Plan on Violence against Children, the Committee notes that there is no special legislation relating to domestic violence within the legal system (arts. 3 and 7).

    The Committee urges the State party to:

    (a) Introduce restraining orders as a means of protecting women and children from violent family members.

    (b) Provide shelters and other support for victims of domestic violence and take measures to encourage women to report domestic violence to the authorities, and to make police officers more sensitive in their handling of allegations of domestic violence, including rape and its psychological impact on the victim. (Paragraph 9)


     
  • Sex education: While noting the information provided orally by the delegation on sex education in schools, the Committee is concerned at the high rate of unwanted pregnancies and abortions among young women between the ages of 15 and 19, and the high number of these women contracting HIV/AIDS, with consequent risks to their life and health (art. 6).

    The Committee urges the State party to:

    (a) Take further measures to help young women avoid unwanted pregnancies and HIV/AIDS, including strengthening its family planning and sex education programmes. (Paragraph 12)


     
  • Trafficking: The Committee is concerned at the situation regarding trafficking in persons, in particular the low number of criminal proceedings instituted for documented cases of trafficking (arts. 3 and 8).

    The Committee urges the State party to:

    (a) Reinforce measures to combat trafficking of women and children and impose sanctions on those who exploit women for such purposes.

    (b) Protect women who are victims of trafficking to enable them to seek refuge and testify against the persons responsible in criminal or civil proceedings.

    (c) Cooperate with other States in eliminating trafficking across national borders. (Paragraph 14)

UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

(E/C.12/LTU/CO/2)

Last reported: 6 May 2014

Concluding Observations published: 23 May 2014

 

Concerns raised:

 

Corporal punishment: The Committee expresses concern that corporal punishment continues to be practiced as a means of discipline, particularly in the home, and that violence against children is increasing, particularly in urban areas (art.10). (paragraph 14)

 

The Committee recommends that the State party proceed swiftly with the adoption of legislation prohibiting the use of corporal punishment in all settings, and take effective measures to raise awareness among the public against the use of violence against children, including corporal punishment.

 

Trafficking: The Committee is concerned that the State party remains a source, transit and destination country for trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation. The Committee expresses further concern that funding for programmes to combat trafficking remains low, and that support to non-governmental organizations providing assistance to victims of trafficking is insufficient (art.10). (paragraph 16)

 

The Committee urges the State party to increase the capacity of law enforcement officers to identify victims of trafficking, training members of the judiciary, and allocating sufficient resources to provide effective protection and assistance to victims. It further reiterates that the State party provide, in its next periodic report, detailed information on the number of investigations undertaken, prosecution of trafficking related cases, conviction of perpetrators, and remedies provided to victims in relation to all forms of trafficking.

 

Mental Health: The Committee  expresses concern at the increasing prevalence of mental health issues, such as affective disorders, schizophrenia and alcohol-related psychosis, and at the high rate mental health problems observed among 41.7 percent of school-age children. It further notes with concern that bullying among school children remains high (art.12).  (paragraph 20)

 

The Committee urges the State party to identify, and effectively address, the root causes of the increase in mental health problems, including by increasing the availability, accessibility and quality of professional mental health care services and skilled personnel. The Committee also recommends that the State party develop community-based services, including peer support and other alternatives to the medical model for persons with psychosocial problems and allocate the necessary financial and human resources for the effective functioning of these services.

 

Sexual and reproductive health: The Committee is concerned at the increasing rate of abortion amongst girls and young women between 15 and 19 years of age (art.12). (paragraph 22)

 

The Committee calls upon the State party to provide age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health education to boys and girls, including information on contraceptive methods. The Committee also recommends that the State party ensures the availability and accessibility of contraceptives, for women and men, including adolescents, particularly in rural areas, and for marginalized and disadvantaged groups.  

 

Education: The Committee expresses concern at the gap in student achievement between urban and rural areas, and regrets the lack of disaggregated and comparative data on enrolment and dropout rates among school children. It also expresses concern that the amendments to the Law on Education adopted in March 2011, has led to restrictions on the use of national minority languages in State-funded national minority schools and in the State examination. The Committee expresses further concern at the situation of Roma children, particularly with regard to their low educational attainment, high dropout rates, and placement in special education schools (arts. 2, 13 and 14). (paragraph 23)

 

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a)  Identify the causes of the gap in student achievement between rural and urban areas and take effective measures to address this;

(b) Establish a data collection mechanism to effectively monitor the dropout rates among school children with a view to identifying the causes and ensuring that children complete primary and secondary education;  

(c) Ensure that national minorities are able to enjoy their right to education in their own language, including by amending the provisions of the Law on Education;

(d) Take effective measures, including temporary special measures, to ensure that all Roma children complete basic education, including through awareness raising campaigns among Roma community concerning the importance of education to the future wellbeing of children.

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(E/C.12/1/Add.96)

Last Reported: 27-28 April 2004
Concluding Observations Adopted: 7 June 2004

Only available in Russian.

UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

CERD/C/LTU/CO/6-8

Last reported: 7 and 8 December 2015
Concluding Observations issued: 11 December 2015

Issues raised:

The situation of Roma: The Committee takes note of reported improvements in the situation of Roma following successive programmes implemented by the State party, in particular in the areas of education and employment. However, the Committee remains concerned at the fact that Roma continue to be the most disadvantaged group in the State party, facing stereotypes, prejudices, intolerance as well as difficulties in a number of areas, such as education, access to labour market, health and adequate and social housing; that despite efforts made by the State party, the illiteracy rate of Roma children remains high and they continue to face problems such as language barriers, early school drop-out and absenteeism and low access to secondary and higher education; the inadequate housing conditions for Roma in particular in the Kirtimai settlement (Municipality of Vilnius) where dwellings are reportedly being demolished (arts.3,5). (para 20)

Recalling its general recommendation No.27 (2000) on discrimination against Roma, the Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Continue its efforts to firmly combat racial discrimination against Roma and address the challenges that Roma continue to face in the areas of employment, education and housing; (b) In particular, bearing in mind its General recommendation No. 32 (2009) on the meaning and scope of special measures in the international convention on forms of racial discrimination, in the context of its new Action Plan for Roma Integration for 2015-2020, reinforce its special measures to reduce the illiteracy rate, the school drop-out rate, and improve the attendance of Roma children as well as their language skills. [...] (para 21)

Trafficking in persons: The Committee takes note of measures taken by the State party to combat trafficking in persons, such as the amendments made in the Criminal Code in 2012, the third National Programme for the Prevention and Control of Trafficking in Human Beings 2009-2012 and the Inter-Institutional Action Plan of the National Programme on Crime Prevention and Control for 2013-2015. However, the Committee is concerned that the State party remains a country of origin, transit and destination of human trafficking, which reportedly has increased. The Committee is also concerned at the low number of investigations and prosecutions for trafficking. It is further concerned at the lack of information on measures to support victims of trafficking and forced labour (arts.2, 5, 6). (para 28)

Taking into account its general recommendations No. 30(2004) on discrimination against non-citizens and No. 25 (2000) on gender-related dimensions of racial discrimination, the Committee recommends that the State party: a) take effective measures to prevent human trafficking, in particular of women and girls, including effective enforcement of its anti-trafficking legislation and enhancement of international cooperation to combat trafficking; b) effectively investigate all cases of human trafficking, prosecute, as appropriate, those responsible and provide redress and support to victims; c) continue to conduct awareness-raising campaigns on the prevention of trafficking targeting the most vulnerable segments of its population; d) provide specialized training to the police, prosecutors, judges, migration and border officers on the Convention and relevant international human rights instruments. (para 29)

---------------------------------------------

(CERD/C/LTU/CO/4-5)

Last Reported: 2 and 3 March 2011
Concluding Observations Adopted: 10 March 2011

Concerns Raised

  • Roma children: The Committee notes the State party's efforts to ensure that the education of Roma children is improved. However, it regrets the absence of statistics on the number of Roma children completing secondary education and the placement of Roma children in special- needs schools (art. 5).

    The Committee recommends the State party:

    (a) Increase its efforts in ensuring that Roma children integrate in the mainstream schools, resolutely address the problem of Roma children dropping out of school and promote Roma language in the school system.

    (b) Establish a mechanism to accurately assess the number of Roma children pursuing education at the secondary level and above.

    (c) Provide in its next periodic report additional information on the decision-making procedure relating to the placement of Roma children in special-needs schools and on measures undertaken by the State party to provide incentives to Roma parents to send their children to school. (Paragraph 16)

UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
 

CEDAW/C/LTU/CO/5

Adopted by the Committee: 30 June-18 July 2014

Published: 18 July 2014

Issues raised:

Legal and institutional reform: The Committee welcomes the progress achieved since the consideration in 2008 of the State party’s third and fourth periodic reports (CEDAW/C/LTU/3 and CEDAW/C/LTU/4) in undertaking legislative reforms, in particular the adoption of:

The amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure aimed at more effective investigation and sanctions of sexual abuse of children and violence against women and more immediate support to victims of those crimes, in 2013 and 2014 (para.4).

The Committee welcomes the State party’s efforts to improve its institutional and policy framework aimed at accelerating the elimination of discrimination against women and promoting gender equality, such as the adoption of:

The National Programme for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Assistance for Children 2011-2015 (para.5).

National human rights institutions:

While noting that the State party has a Seimas Ombudsman, an Equal Opportunities Ombudsman and a Children’s Ombudsman, the Committee is concerned about the absence of a national human rights institution in compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles), annexed to General Assembly resolution 48/134 of 20 December 1993 (para.16).

The Committee recommends that the State party establish, within a clear time frame, an independent national human rights institution in compliance with the Paris Principles whose competencies should include issues related to the equality of women and men (para.17).

Trafficking in persons and sexual exploitation:

The Committee is concerned about the absence of comprehensive legislation and strategies against trafficking in persons, in particular women and children, and that the State party remains a source, transit and destination country for women and girls subjected to trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation (para.26).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

Adopt comprehensive legislation and policies against trafficking in persons, in particular women and children, and ensure that victims are properly identified and provided with adequate protection and assistance; Address the root causes for trafficking and prostitution by increasing its efforts to provide educational and income generating opportunities for women and girls thereby minimizing their vulnerability to exploitation (para.27).

Nationality:

The Committee notes with concern that the national citizenship legislation adversely impacts women and girls as the Law on Citizenship does not grant automatic citizenship to children born in the State party’s territory to stateless parents who are not permanent residents in Lithuania. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned at the nationality status of Roma children (para.30).

The Committee encourages the State party to bring its national citizenship legislation in line with the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, in particular by providing for the automatic granting of nationality to all children born in Lithuania, including Roma children, who would otherwise be stateless (para.31).

Education:

The Committee acknowledges the reforms of national curricula for basic compulsory education, which include measures to advance gender equality. The Committee remains concerned about the gender stereotypes and structural barriers negatively affecting girls’ enrolment in non-traditional educational and occupational fields; the gender stereotyping in textbooks; the absence of adequate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights in the curricula;The Committee is also concerned about the placement of Roma girls in special schools or classes, the high drop-out rates of Roma girls from primary education and their low school attendance (para.32).

The Committee recommends that the State party:

Eliminate gender stereotypes and structural barriers that potentially deter girls’ enrolment in non-traditional educational and occupational fields at all levels of education;Review all textbooks to eliminate gender stereotypes; Provide adequate, age appropriate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights to girls and boys, including about responsible sexual behaviour, with a view to prevent teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases; Continue legal and policy reforms to allow all girls to enjoy the right to education, and to that end ensure the enrolment of Roma girls and boys in regular classes of primary schools instead of schools or classes for children with special needs; and reduce the high drop-out rates of Roma girls from primary education, take effective measures to keep Roma girls attending school and increase their attendance at the secondary level through measures such as the granting of scholarships and the free provision of textbooks (para.33).

Harmful Practices:

The Committee is concerned about the proposed amendment to the Constitution, which aims at restricting the definition of family only to married couples with at least one child. The Committee is also concerned about the amendment of the Civil Code adopted in June 2010 regarding the legal age of consent to marriage, providing that courts may reduce the legal age of consent by no more than two years at the request of a person intending to marry before the age of 18 years, and that courts may allow persons to marry before the age of 16 in cases of pregnancy (para.40).

The Committee encourages the State party to:

Refrain from adopting a restrictive definition of the family and effectively monitor the impact of the proposed amendment on different forms of families, as recognized in the General Recommendation no. 21 (1994) on Equality in Marriage and Family Relations; and repeal without delay the discriminatory provisions of the amendment to the Civil Code, which lowered the legal age of consent to marriage (para.41).

(CEDAW/C/LTU/CO/4)

Last Reported: 2 July 2008

Concerns Raised

  • Stereotypes: The Committee continues to be concerned about the persistence of patriarchal attitudes and deep-rooted stereotypes regarding the roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family and in society in Lithuania, which threaten to undermine women's exercise and enjoyment of their human rights and are reflected, inter alia, in the recently adopted Conceptual Framework for a National Family Policy, the media, and in educational textbooks and materials, all of which influence women's traditional educational choices, their disadvantaged situation in the labour market and their underrepresentation in political and public life and decision-making positions, especially at the local level.

    The Committee calls upon the State party to:

    (a) Strengthen its efforts and take comprehensive and ongoing measures to eliminate gender stereotyping.

    (b) Direct awareness-raising and educational campaigns at both women and men to promote cultural change with respect to their roles and tasks in line with article 5 of the Convention, and encourage the media to project positive and non-sexualised images of women.

    (c) Enhance the education and in-service training of the teaching and counselling staff of all educational establishments and at all levels with regard to gender equality issues, to speedily complete a revision of all educational textbooks and materials to eliminate gender stereotypes, and to apply temporary special measures according to article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention to encourage women to move into decision-making positions in educational institutions and to increase the number of women professors among academic staff.

    (d) Develop and implement programmes aimed at counselling girls and women on non- traditional educational and vocational choices. (Paragraphs 70 and 71)


     
  • Health: While noting that some efforts were undertaken by the State party in the area of reproductive health, including the publication and dissemination of booklets on sexual education and reproductive rights, the Committee remains concerned at the remaining high rate of abortion and the limited access of girls and women to methods of family planning, including contraceptives, especially among women in rural areas. In this respect, the Committee expresses its concern at the information that more than half of young women between 15 and 25 years of age do not use any contraceptives and that sexual education is not mandatory in schools. The Committee is deeply concerned at the draft law on the protection of human life in the prenatal phase, which stipulates only three situations in which abortion would be lawful within very strict time-limits. Since, according to the draft law, abortion under circumstances apart from the three situations may be considered a punishable offence under Lithuanian law, the Committee is concerned that the adoption of such a law may lead women to seek unsafe illegal abortions, with consequent risks to their health and lives and contribute to a rise in maternal mortality.

    The Committee calls upon the State party to:

    (a) Strengthen measures aimed at ensuring women's right to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children according to article 16, paragraph 1 (e), of the Convention and thus at prevention of unwanted pregnancies.

    (b) Make a wide array of family planning methods, such as a comprehensive range of contraceptives, including emergency contraception, more widely available and affordable, to provide mandatory sexual education in schools and to increase knowledge and awareness about family planning among women as well as men.

    (c) Ensure that the draft law is in line with the Convention and accordingly will not lead to women seeking unsafe medical procedures, such as illegal abortion, which may seriously risk their health and lives. (Paragraphs 80 and 81)

UN Committee against Torture

(CAT/C/LTU/CO/3)

Last reported: 12-13 May 2014

Concluding Observations adopted: 20 May 2014

 

Trafficking: The Committee is concerned that the State party remains a country of origin, transit and destination of human trafficking and is registering a rise in the number of cases.  It is also concerned that six Lithuanian nationals from an organized crime gang charged with trafficking in women have not been sentenced since 2010. (paragraph 14)

The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Take effective measures to prevent human trafficking, including vigorous enforcement of anti-trafficking legislation and enhancing international cooperation to combat trafficking, in particular for the purpose of sexual exploitation;

(b) Continue conducting specialized training for the police, prosecutors and judges, migration officers and border police, including on the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children;

(c) Promptly, effectively and impartially investigate, prosecute and punish trafficking in persons and related practices;

(d) Provide redress to victims of trafficking.

Corporal punishment: The Committee notes that corporal punishment remains a concern, especially in the home and alternative care settings (paragraph 24)

The Committee suggests that the State party amend its national legislation to prohibit and criminalise all forms of corporal punishment of children in all environments and settings, in accordance with international standards. The Committee also recommends that the State party conduct public awareness-raising campaigns about its harmful effects, and promote positive non-violent forms of discipline as an alternative to corporal punishment.

 

(CAT/C/LTU/CO/2)

Last Reported: 4 and 5 November 2008
Concluding Observations Adopted: 19 January 2009

Concerns Raised

  • Asylum-seekers: The Committee welcomes the information provided by the delegation that the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens (the Aliens Law) has been amended in November 2006 and that asylum seekers are now exempt from detention, even in cases where they enter or stay illegally in the State party. While noting that the State party provides mandatory medical screening to newly arrived asylum-seekers upon arrival to the accommodation facilities at the Foreigners' Registration Centre (FRC) in Padrade, the Committee is concerned that there is no mechanism in place to identify persons with special needs and possible victims of torture or ill-treatment. The Committee is also concerned that all asylum-seekers, including single women or women with children, and traumatised asylum-seekers, are accommodated in the same building. (arts. 2 and 16)

    The Committee recommends that the State party:

    (a) Take the necessary steps to ensure appropriate reception conditions for asylum-seekers with special needs, such as single women or women with children, and traumatised asylum-seekers, by providing them with separate accommodation.

    (b) Give medical personnel, social staff in reception centres and others involved in the refugee status determination procedure thorough training and sensitisation in respect of victims of torture or ill-treatment in order to identify such cases at an early stage for referral to the appropriate medical and psychosocial services. (Paragraph 8)


     
  • Pre-trial detention: The Committee notes the changes that have occurred in the legal regulation of the operation of police detention facilities, including the approval in May 2007 of the Rules of Procedure of the Detention Facilities of Territorial Police Establishments and the Manual for Security and Maintenance of Detention Facilities of Territorial Police Establishments. The Committee also notes the Law on the Execution of Detention which will enter into force on 1 April 2009, which stipulates the conditions for keeping detainees in pre-trial wards and sets forth a clear and direct prohibition to subject a person to torture or cruel or degrading treatment upon the execution of detention. However, the Committee remains concerned at reports of prolonged pre-trial detention and administrative detention, of both minors and adults, and the high risk of ill-treatment which it entails and regrets the lack of use of alternatives to imprisonment. (arts. 2, 11 and 16)

    The Committee urges the State party to:

    (a) Take appropriate measures to further reduce the duration of detention in custody and detention before charges are brought

    (b) Develop and implement alternatives to deprivation of liberty, including probation, mediation, community service or suspended sentences. (Paragraph 11)


     
  • Domestic violence: The Committee notes various measures undertaken by the State party, including the approval of the Government on 22 December 2006 of a long-term State Strategy on the Reduction of Violence against Women and a Plan of Implementing Measures 2007-2009. However, the Committee expresses its concern about the high prevalence of violence against women and children, including domestic violence, and it regrets the absence of a definition of domestic violence in national legislation and that such violence is not recognised as a specific crime. The Committee also regrets that the number of crisis centres, which have mostly been established and are operated on the initiative of NGOs, is insufficient due to lack of financial governmental support. While noting that territorial police establishments have started collecting, accumulating and analysing data related to domestic violence, the Committee regrets the lack of State-wide statistics on domestic violence and that statistical data on complaints, prosecutions and sentences in matters of domestic violence were not provided. (arts. 1, 2, 12 and 16)

    The Committee urges the State party to:

    (a) Allocate sufficient financial resources to ensure the effective implementation of the State Strategy on the Reduction of Violence against Women and to closely monitor the results achieved.

    (b) Adopt a specific type of criminal offence for domestic violence.

    (c) Participate directly in rehabilitation and legal assistance programmes and ensure that all women who are victims of domestic violence have access to a sufficient number of safe and adequately funded shelters.

    (d) Conduct broader awareness campaigns for officials (judges, law officers, law-enforcement agencies and welfare workers) who are in direct contact with the victims.

    (e) Strengthen its efforts in respect of research and data collection on the extent of domestic violence, including its prevalence, causes and consequences. (Paragraph 20)


     
  • Trafficking: The Committee recognises the existence of legislative and other measures to address trafficking in women and children, including for sexual exploitation purposes, such as the Programme for the Prevention and Control of Trafficking in Human Beings for 2005-2008, the establishment, in 2006, of a specialised Department of Investigation of Trafficking in Human Beings at the Police Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the ratification, in 2003, of the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime. However, the Committee is concerned about persistent reports of cross-border trafficking in women for sexual and other exploitative purposes and it regrets the low number of prosecutions in this respect. The Committee also regrets that the State party does not have an effective system in place to monitor and assess the extent and impact of or to address this phenomenon effectively. (arts. 2, 10 and 16)

    The Committee urges the State party to:

    (a) Continue to take effective measures to prosecute and punish trafficking in persons, including through the strict application of relevant legislation.

    (b) Conduct nationwide awareness- raising campaigns,

    (c) Provide adequate programmes of assistance, recovery and reintegration for victims of trafficking

    (d) Conduct training for law enforcement officials, migration officials and border police on the causes, consequences and incidence of trafficking and other forms of exploitation. (Paragraph 21)

UN Committee on Migrant Workers

Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

(CRPD/C/LTU/CO/1)

Report issued: 11 May 2016

Issues raised and recommendations given:

Women with disabilities: The Committee notes with concern the absence of concrete measures to prevent and eradicate discrimination against women and girls with disabilities as well as multidimensional discrimination of women and girls with disabilities based on other grounds, especially on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, in the action plan for the National Programme on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men 2015 – 2021 (para 15).

The Committee recommends that the State party revise its action plan for the National Programme on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men 2015 - 2021 to include an explicit focus on prevention and eradication of discrimination against women and girls with disabilities, including multiple and intersectional discrimination, as well as measures for their development, advancement and empowerment, in particular to foster their participation in public life (para 16).

Children with disabilities: The Committee is concerned about: The lack of data and initiatives on protection from and prevention of sexual abuse and trafficking specifically targeting children with disabilities; The systematic lack of involvement of children with disabilities, especially children with intellectual or cognitive impairments and children with a reduced ability to express themselves vocally, in decision - making concerning their lives (para 17).

The Committee strongly recommends that the State party: Develop and implement an appropriate plan of action to eliminate all forms of sexual abuse and violence against children with disabilities within and outside of institutions, and collect disaggregated data in order to evaluate the effectiveness of measures that would be adopted under such a plan of action; Take legislative and administrative measures to guarantee the right of children with disabilities to express their views on all matters affecting them, particularly in judicial and administrative procedures, recognizing their evolving capacity and giving due weight to their views in accordance with their age and maturity, and to be provided with disability - and age - appropriate assistance to realize this right (para 18).

The Committee is concerned about the low number of children with disabilities and their families receiving support from the Ministry of Social Security and Labour and the narrow scope of support provided. The Committee recommends that the State party take measures to ensure that children with disabilities and their families receive the support that they need and that is appropriate given their individual requirements and develop the statistical tools necessary to measure the progress made in that respect (paras 19, 20).

Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse: The Committee is concerned by: The high number of reports of women, boys and girls with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities facing violence and abuse, including sexual abuse, at institutions and at home; The lack of targeted measures such as the provision of accessible victim support services, including shelters and complaints and reporting mechanisms; The absence of independent monitoring authorities assigned to comply with article 16 (3) of the Convention; The lack of statistical data on exploitation, violence, trafficking and abuse in homes, schools, institutions, hospitals and prisons disaggregated by, among others, sex, age and disability (para 34).

The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen the protection of persons with disabilities, particularly women and girls with disabilities, against violence, exploitation and abuse, as recommended by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW/C/LTU/CO/4), by establishing inclusive and accessible victim support services, including accessible hotlines, shelters and complaints and reporting mechanisms. The Committee also recommends that the State party strengthen awareness-raising efforts and the training of police officers, health professionals and social workers, among others, with a view to supporting persons with disabilities who have been affected by violence. The Committee also recommends that the State party adopt and allocate sufficient funds to awareness-raising measures, that it collect disaggregated data and that it designate independent authorities to monitor services and facilities (paras 35, 36).

Living independently and being included in the community: The Committee is deeply concerned at the lack of sufficient choice and range of adequate support mechanisms, including independent living schemes, to ensure that persons with disabilities can access accommodation within their local community, regardless of their sex, age or impairment. In particular: Many children under 3 years of age with disabilities are still placed in residential institutions; There are no guarantees that all younger persons with disabilities have realistic options of choosing not to live in residential facilities for the elderly (para 39).

 The Committee recommends that the State party, in close collaboration with organizations of persons with disabilities: Adopt an adequately funded strategy for deinstitutionalization ensuring a range of community-based services for the social inclusion of persons with disabilities, including for children with intellectual and/or psychosocial impairments, including their right to live independently in the community, with the possibility of individualized personal assistance support services in their home;  Effectively implement the action plan for the implementation of the national programme for the social integration of persons with disabilities for the period 2013-2019 at all levels of the State;  Adopt a moratorium on new admissions of children into institutionalized care;  Eliminate excessive waiting time for receiving support services by investing in developing new services and rendering existing services accessible and inclusive and ensure that persons with disabilities have access to sufficient financial resources for independent living and improved access to accessible services in the community (para 40).

Respect for home and the family: The Committee is deeply concerned that persons with disabilities, especially those deprived of their legal capacity, can be denied the right to marry, found a family and adopt and raise children. The Committee calls upon the State party to repeal provisions restricting these rights and to provide adequate support services to ensure that families with parents with disabilities and/or children with disabilities have the right to a family and a home (paras 43, 44).

Education: The Committee is concerned at reports that: Many students with disabilities, particularly those with visual, auditory, psychosocial or intellectual impairment, in preschool and primary and secondary education are referred to and obliged to attend special schools due to a lack of reasonable accommodation and accessibility in the mainstream educational system, among other reasons; All too often, the special education system or home schooling are the only options for children with disabilities; Not all children with disabilities enjoy the right to free and compulsory primary education or to affordable secondary education on the equal basis as others, as some of the public special schools do not provide education free of charge; Children with disabilities are forced to shift to special schools as they advance to higher levels of education and the rate of enrolment of persons with disabilities in tertiary education is low; The number of accessible means of transport is insufficient to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities and to allow them to participate fully in the education system (para 45).

The Committee recommends that the State party adopt and implement a coherent strategy on inclusive education in the mainstream educational system in accordance with article 24 of the Convention and with reference to Sustainable Development Goal 4, especially its targets 4.5 and 4.8. Through such a strategy, the State party should: Ensure the accessibility of school environments, the provision of reasonable accommodation, accessible and adapted materials and curricula, and the compulsory pre-service and in-service training of all teachers on inclusive education; Secure a sufficient number of accessible means of transport to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities; Set clear timelines, targets, baselines and indicators to secure time-bound and measurable progress; Allocate effective and adequate financial, material and adequately trained human resources. The Committee also recommends that the State party guarantee a legally enforceable right to inclusive, quality and free primary education and to affordable secondary education on an equal basis with others. The Committee further recommends that the State party facilitate access for persons with disabilities to tertiary education and vocational training, including through the provision of reasonable accommodation in higher education (paras 46-48).

UN Committee on Enforced Disappearance

 

Organisation: 
Child Rights International Network
Attachment: 
lithuania.docx

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