ACFC/SR (2001) 7 REPORT SUBMITTED BY LITHUANIA PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 25, PARAGRAPH 1 OF THE FRAMEWORK CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATIONAL MINORITIES (Received on 31 October 2001) 1 REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE FRAMEWORK CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATIONAL MINORITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA SUBJECT TO ARTICLE 25 (1) OF THE CONVENTION 2001 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I............................................................................................................................4 Introduction.....................................................................................................................4 1. General up-to-date information on the public policy related to the protection of national minorities...........................................................................................................4 2. Information on the place of international treaties in domestic legislation......................7 3. Information on the nature of the State..........................................................................8 4. Summary of the development of Lithuanian statehood...............................................10 5. Information on the demographic situation in the country ...........................................11 6. Information on whether there are minorities within minorities ...................................12 7. Main economic indices..............................................................................................13 PART II ........................................................................................................................16 Article 1 ........................................................................................................................16 Article 2 ........................................................................................................................19 Article 3 ........................................................................................................................20 Article 4 ........................................................................................................................27 Article 5 ........................................................................................................................32 Article 6 ........................................................................................................................36 Article 7 ........................................................................................................................41 Article 8 ........................................................................................................................44 Article 9 ........................................................................................................................46 Article 10 ......................................................................................................................52 Article 11 ......................................................................................................................58 Article 12 ......................................................................................................................61 Article 13 ......................................................................................................................67 Article 14 ......................................................................................................................68 Article 15 ......................................................................................................................74 Article 16 ......................................................................................................................75 Article 17 ......................................................................................................................76 Article 18 ......................................................................................................................78 Article 19 ......................................................................................................................80 Article 20 ......................................................................................................................80 Article 21 ......................................................................................................................80 Article 22 ......................................................................................................................81 Article 23 ......................................................................................................................81 Article 30 ......................................................................................................................81 3 PART I Introduction The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities on November 10, 1994. The Republic of Lithuania signed the Convention on February 1, 1995, and was one of the first European nations to do so. On February 17, 2000, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania passed Law No. VIII – 1548 On the Ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. On March 23, 2000, Lithuania deposited its accession instruments with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. The Convention became effective for the Republic of Lithuania on July 1, 2000. On September 7, 2000, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, invoking the Law on the Ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, adopted Resolution No. 1069 On Setting up a Standing Committee for the Compilation of Information on the Implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in the Republic of Lithuania. The Committee was assigned the task of compiling, on the basis of Article 25 of the Convention, the first communication of information on the legislative and other measures taken by the Republic of Lithuania to give effect to the principles of this Convention. On May 7, 2001, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania adopted Resolution No. 520 On the procedures of the Implementation of the Provisions of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe (“Valstybės žinios”- Official Gazette No 40-1399, 2001). The aim of this Resolution is to provide for the procedures of the implementation of those provisions of the Convention which are not enshrined in the legislation of the Republic of Lithuania so as to ensure the implementation of the Convention. 1. General up-to-date information on the public policy related to the protection of national minorities. The national rebirth, which started in 1988, laid the foundation for a new stage in the ethnic policy of the Lithuanian State. Lithuania was the first country in Central and Eastern Europe to adopt a law on national minorities (1989) and to set up the Department of Nationalities, under the authority of the Government. Its main task at that time was to meet the national, social, cultural, and other needs of the national minorities and assist them in preserving their ethnic identity. One of the most important factors for the preservation of the political stability and social cohesion in the country was the passage of the Law on Citizenship (1989). Lithuania opted for the zero version when obtaining citizenship. Upon request, any non- Lithuanian, irrespective of the time or purpose for his or her arrival to reside in Lithuania, irrespective of the duration of his or her residence, was granted Lithuanian citizenship. A 4 majority of the population expressed their wish to become Lithuanian citizens, including over 90 per cent of all the inhabitants who were of different nationality. Upon the restoration of its independence (11 March 1990), Lithuania has undertaken to guarantee human and civil rights, the rights of ethnic communities and to observe the universal norms of international law. Lithuania acknowledges the close relationship between the development of various ethnic groups residing in the country and the development of the Lithuanian nation as a whole. It recognises the principles of national identity, cultural continuity and fosters national awareness by guaranteeing equal political, economic, social and cultural rights and freedoms of every nationality and every language in its international and national legislation, documents and regulations. Matters related to national minorities are dealt with at the State level. The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania set up a standing Committee for Human Rights in 1992 to co-ordinate the drafting and implementation of legislation necessary for the public policy on national minorities. Set up in 1994 under the authority of the Seimas, the Ombudsmen institution investigates abuses and violations of the personal rights of all citizens, including those belonging to national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. The Ombudsman’s Office for the Protection of the Children’s Rights investigates complaints about breaches of children’s rights and lawful interests. The Government pursues its policies concerning national minorities through the Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad, founded in 1989 under the authority of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. The Department formulates and puts into practice public policy of national and ethnic harmony. Such policy guarantees