Don’t be afraid to speak in your native language!
The citizens of the Republic of Lithuania who declare their membership of a national minority often inform the NGO Foundation for Human Rights about infringements of their right to use their native language. Unfortunately, recent changes confirm the EFHR’s concern on the increasing number of such violations (more info: http://www.efhr.eu/2012/08/29/punishing-for-comments-gains-pace/?lang=en; http://www.efhr.eu/2012/01/06/efhr-took-notice-seriously-of-the-survey-published-in-the-issue-of-iq-on-january/?lang=en).
During one of the latest television debates the Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis pointed out that national minorities do not have to be foreign policy’s hostages. He explained that accusations of violating the rights of Polish minority in Lithuania do not need to be heeded, as, in his opinion, they are unfounded. He quotes this year’s Freedom House report, which states clearly that rights of Polish minority in Lithuania are protected.