The seminar was held in connection with the visit by Mr. Thomas Hammarberg, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe. Among the participants were representatives from various national and ethnic minority associations, LGBT-organizations and other NGOs. Academics,  members of parliament and Seimas ombudspersons were also invited.

The seminar was well attended and a vast array of issues were discussed in an open atmosphere. Among these were the opportunity for national and ethnic minorities to participate in education in their  languages. Part of the session was dedicated to a discussion about the Polish minority’s demands for the right to communicate in their own language in public spaces in localities where they constitute the majority, and to have   bilingual street signs. Another question raised concerned the situation of Romanies living in Lithuania. Finally, in the context of discussing the legal rights of homosexuals and transsexuals in Lithuania, Mr. Hammarberg accentuated the obligations towards its citizens of a state that has ratified Human Rights conventions..

For more information about Mr. Hammarberg's visit to Lithuania and the issues being discussed during his stay; click here.