EFHR invites to the Conference on the Overview of National Minorities Rights in Lithuania

The European Foundation of Human Rights (EFHR) invites to the International Conference entitled “The Rights and Expectations of National Minorities in the Context of  Lithuanian and International Law” to be held on 28 October, 2016 to discuss situation of national minority rights.

The Conference will provide an opportunity to present the current social and demographic situation of national minorities in the Republic of Lithuania (Lithuania) and the level of minority rights protection in terms of international obligations. During the Conference participants will discuss and assess draft laws regulating national minority rights that are registered in the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania (Draft Law on National Minorities; Draft Law in regard to the spelling of names and surnames in official documents).

The conference aims both at the discussion of specific action taken in order to improve situation of national minorities in Lithuania and definition of particular directions to move towards adequate protection of national minorities complying with the international obligations of the country. Our objective is to draw attention of state institutions and society to the necessity of amendments to be implemented in order to protect national minorities and ensure the opportunity to cherish their language, culture, and customs.

These topics will be presented by the following speakers: Artur Zapolski, senior specialist of the Division of Communication with National Communities of the Department of national Minorities under the government of the republic of Lithuania; Jennifer Croft, senior advisor to High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe; dr. Hanna Vasilevich, representative of the Centre of National Minorities located in Germany (European Centre for Minority Issues); Išvanas Kvik, Chair of the Roma Community of Lithuania and Faina Kukliansky, Chair of The Jewish Community of Lithuania. The reports will be presented as well by: Prof. dr. (HP) Boguslavas Gruževskis, director of the Labour Market Research Institute (LBRI); doc. dr. Grigorijus Potašenko, director of the Centre of Cultural Communities Studies of Vilnius University Faculty of History; dr. Elżbieta Kuzborska, scientific secretary of Association of the Polish Scientists in Lithuania; doc. dr. Katarzyna Miksza, Mykolas Romeris University, expert dr Łukasz Wardyn and associate lawyer Evelina Baliko. Conference will be opened and guided by the Mayor of Vilnius Remigijus Šimašius.

State institutions employees, scientists, persons employed at human right protection sector, representatives of NGO sector, lawyers, and general public are welcome to take part in open discussion.

If you wish to to attend the conference, please register yourself before 26^th of October by email: info@efhr.eu, tel. +370 691 50 822 or by filling in the form (link to the form). Registration is mandatory due to the limited number of participants.

The Conference will be held on 28 October, 2016 in the Chamber meeting room No 2001 (20 floor) of Vilnius city municipality building at Konstitucijos ave. 3. Beginning at 9.00 a.m. (registration of participants and coffee begins at 8.40 a.m.). Reports will be presented in Lithuanian and English. Simultaneous translation will be provided.

EFHR