THE NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA (2002) (unofficial translation, excerpt)

Chapter 1. AIM, PURPOSE AND PREPARATION CRITERIA OF THE NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA

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Section 3. Aims and objectives of the National Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

The Plan has to create the following preconditions:

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6) develop the activities of non-governmental organizations as well as their co-operation with public authorities;

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Section 4 The main requirements for the preparation and implementation of the Plan

The preparation, implementation and assessment procedures in regard of the National Plan have to meet the following requirements:

1) the process has to involve as many state, non-governmental organizations and other civil society institutes as possible;

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3) measures of Plan preparation and implementation have to be transparent;

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Section 8. Human rights situation in Lithuania

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There are a lot of non-governmental organizations operating in the area of the protection of human rights in Lithuania. Only some of them have a substantial impact on the position of the public, public authorities and international organizations. Public authorities insufficiently rely on the activities of non-governmental organizations in the area of the protection of human rights.

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Chapter 12. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE AND DISSEMINATE INFORMATION. PROTECTION OF PRIVATE LIFE

Section 1. On increased possibilities for the public to obtain information from state and municipal institutions

Action one: To draw up and start implementing a programme for informing the public about the functions of public institutions, types of their activities, procedure and terms for investigating applications of residents, the rights and duties of their officials, the rights and duties of persons addressing those institutions.

Implementing agent(s): the Government of the Republic of Lithuania (Ministry of Internal Affairs) in co-operation with non-governmental organizations.

Supervising agent(s): the Republic of Lithuania Seimas Committee on Human Rights.

Deadline: the programme has to prepared and preparation for its implementation has to be completed by 1 January 2004; afterwards it has to be uninterruptedly implemented.

Action two: To prepare and submit for adoption amendments and supplements to the Republic of Lithuania Law on the Right to Receive Information from State and Municipal Institutions to provide for a legal person’s right to receive information.

Implementing agent(s): the Government of the Republic of Lithuania (Ministry of Internal Affairs) in co-operation with non-governmental organizations.

Supervising agent(s): the Republic of Lithuania Seimas Committee on Human Rights.

Deadline: draft amendments to the said law have to be prepared by 1 November 2003.

Section 2. Measures for improving the protection of private life

Action: To draw up and submit for adoption amendments and supplements to the Republic of Lithuania Law on the Provision of Information to the Public to harmonize this law with the Republic of Lithuania Civil Code, to classify the Internet as a media when the information being disseminated via the Internet has been collected for media purposes in order to ensure the protection of private life on the Internet.

Implementing agent(s): the Government of the Republic of Lithuania (Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs) in co-operation with non-governmental organizations.

Supervising agent(s): the Republic of Lithuania Seimas Committee on Human Rights.

Deadline: draft amendments and supplements to the said law have to be prepared and submitted for adoption by 1 November 2004; they have to be constantly followed afterwards.

Chapter 13. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS TO PARTICIPATE IN STATE GOVERNANCE. STRENGTHENING OF SELF-GOVERNANCE BY THE PUBLIC

Section 1. Measures for increased awareness of citizens as regards possibilities to participate in state governance

Action: To prepare a methodological publication on the constitutional right to participate in state governance, to approve and start implementing an educational programme aimed at informing in detail the youth and the adults on forms of participation in state governance and their implementation peculiarities.

Implementing agent(s): the Government of the Republic of Lithuania (Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Interior) in co-operation with non-governmental organizations.

Supervising agent(s): the Committee on Human Rights of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.

Deadline: for the preparation of the aforementioned publication and programme and their submission for acceptance – 1 January 2005, for the implementation of the program - constantly.

Section 2. On the development of self-governance by the public

Action: To draft amendments and supplements to the Law on Local Self-Government of the Republic of Lithuania aiming at establishing specific actions of self-government institutions in informing local residents about any draft decisions of municipal institutions concerning the interests of local residents, taking into account the opinion of local residents (polling mechanism and the like) in decision-making, and actual familiarization of local residents with any decisions made; and to submit these amendments and supplements for approval.

Implementing agent(s): the Government of the Republic of Lithuania (Ministry of Internal Affairs) in co-operation with non-governmental organizations.

Supervising agent(s): the Committee on Human Rights of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.

Deadline: for drafting and submitting for approval the amendments to the aforementioned law – 1 November 2004, for its implementation - constantly.