Lithuanian criminal justices learn to tackle domestic violence against women

  • 2011-04-20
  • By Linas Jegelevicius

KLAIPEDA - According to Eurobarometer, the Web site for the Public Opinion Analysis sector of the European Commission, violence against women in Lithuania is more widespread than in other EU member countries. According to the survey, nearly half of interviewed Lithuanian inhabitants are aware of at least one woman who has experienced at some time domestic violence. It also showed that 3 percent of the respondents justify this kind of domestic violence “under certain circumstances,” while 7 percent consider it “unacceptable; however, the misdemeanor should not be punishable, as it is solely a matter for the family.”

Cheryl Thomas, an American and an outspoken women’s rights campaigner and director of the Women’s Human Rights Program, arranged two seminars in the Lithuanian towns of Moletai and Palanga, highlighting the issue of domestic violence. Avoiding pointing out Lithuania as the country with the worst EU record, she, however, admitted the statistics are “raising a big concern and need urgent action.” Over 30 law enforcement officers, including prosecutors, judges and police specialists, participated in the training seminar in Palanga, a resort town in the west of Lithuania. “These are the people who are in a position to tackle the problem effectively.

Until now, in Lithuania, to my knowledge, domestic violence against women is often not considered a crime, and the women are not seen as victims. Only recently has the European Union prioritized the issue as of utmost urgency by adopting the convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. It urges all EU countries to devote special attention to tackling the problem. It is saddening when, even in an EU country, police are not often able to hold the offender accountable for the violence. I hope the Lithuanian society will perceive the urgency of the issue. I hope the public’s opinion on the issue will change, as well as the necessary legislative basis will be created,” Thomas said to The Baltic Times.

The land-mark Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence is the first legally binding instrument in the world creating a comprehensive legal framework to prevent violence, to protect victims and to end the impunity of perpetrators. It defines and criminalizes various forms of violence against women (including forced marriage, female genital mutilation, stalking, physical and psychological violence and sexual violence).
It also foresees the establishment of an international group of independent experts to monitor its implementation at the national level. The Convention will be opened for signing in Istanbul on May 11, 2011.

Thomas’ visit to Lithuania was promoted by the Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Lithuania Anne Elizabeth Derse, who is an ardent women’s rights activist. Previously, Thomas had provided consultation and training for government officials, legal professionals and civil society groups in Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Bosnia, and Moldova and in some other countries. “Domestic violence against women has much more similarities than differences, globally. In all these countries, local criminal justice often lacks involvement in tackling the problem and addressing the issue to the public,” the American emphasized. In March 2011, she was recognized by Newsweek magazine as one of 150 “Women Who Shake the World.”

The draft on preventing and combating violence against women has already passed initial deliberations in Seimas’ Judicial and Law Committee. However, Ausrine Marija Pavilioniene, Seimas MP and a prominent human rights’ activist, admonishes that the would-be law may be quite ineffective if adopted with the suggested amendments. “The draft, created by the Ministry of Social Security and Labor, has been altered substantively by the parliamentarians – the words ‘domestic violence against women’ have been simply scratched out. The situation reminds me of that, when water is being poured out, the baby is thrown away, too,” Pavilioniene said recently.

Thomas pointed out that the United States adopted the law preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence fifteen years ago. “Domestic violence cases against women have dropped in half by now. Fifteen years ago, likewise in Lithuania, this kind of violence was considered to be a private matter. However, with the adoption of the law, the situation has improved, as the public’s mentality has changed,” the American activist said.