A meeting with a representative from the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities took place

On 6 March 2018, representatives from the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Nation Minorities met with the representatives of national minorities in Lithuania. The meeting took place in order to monitor the progress made in the implementation of the Framework Convention on the Protection of Rights National Minorities. On 23 February 2017 Lithuania submitted the fourth report on the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of Minority Rights in Lithuania from the second half of 2011 to the second half of 2016. It is worth noting that the report was submitted late, as it was due on 1 July 2016.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Polish media, education, NGOs and other Polish organisations.

During the meeting, which was organized with the help of the European Foundation of Human Rights (EFHR), topics concerning national minorities were discussed, such as spelling of names and surnames, bilingual topographical names and the educational situation of national minorities. Attention was also focused on how electoral districts were established in Lithuania. A representative of EFHR, Ewelina Dobrowolska, talked about the Foundation’s issues, achievements and the difficulties encountered. The EFHR has also presented its alternative report on the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities Rights in Lithuania, in which it included the information which was not provided in Lithuania’s official report.

The EFHR believes that the meeting was beneficial for both parties and is pleased to have had the opportunity to meet an expert and share their observations.