Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons and Human Rights in Lithuania

Abstract

Equal rights and opportunities are at the forefront of Lithuanian public discourse. Lithuania is party to numerous human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil Political Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which recognize rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. In 2005, the Law on Equal Opportunities was enacted in the country; according to it, every person has a right to file a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson in cases of discrimination of any type. Although many anti-discrimination laws and laws on human rights have been in place for a decade, the reality is that they still do not always guarantee equality and equal treatment of persons of different social groups. Surveys indicate that much still needs to be done in the field of human rights and fair treatment of people regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, race and ethnic origin, and religious beliefs. Lithuanian lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons (LGBT) are particularly vulnerable in this regard. A survey conducted in 2006 revealed that almost 70 per cent of Lithuanians would not want homosexuals working at schools and half of the population objected to them working at a police station; almost one of every two Lithuanian thinks homosexuals should be treated medically and over 60 per cent would not like to belong to any organization that accepted homosexual members.[...]