Lietuva in brief - 2011-10-27

  • 2011-10-26

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis, on Oct. 24 condemned newly adopted amendments to existing laws on public assemblies and the security services, saying they will further limit the fundamental freedoms of assembly and association in Belarus. “I am deeply concerned over these new restrictions on civil liberties in Belarus and call, once again, on the Belarusian president to allow a vibrant civil society and cease political persecutions. By worsening the human rights situation in the country and systematically limiting fundamental freedoms, Belarus can only isolate itself further from the international arena,” said Azubalis. On Oct. 3, the lower chamber of the Belarusian parliament adopted three draft amendments, including one that increases the powers of the State Security Committee. Two others, which change crucial provisions of the Law on Mass Events and the Law on Public Associations, were approved by the upper chamber of Parliament on Oct. 21.

On Tuesday, President Dalia Grybauskaite conferred awards to the winners of the fifth Constitution exam, reports ELTA. This year, nearly 33,000 Lithuanian residents have taken the exam at city and district municipalities, schools and imprisonment facilities. A total of 27 residents were picked as the winners. The president, who is the patron of the Constitution examination, says that increased interest in the event points to a stronger society and greater public awareness that the Constitution is intended not only for lawyers, but for all the people of the country. “The Constitution really comes into force when people understand it, when each citizen lives in its spirit and uses it in his everyday and public life. It is important to remember that the Constitution is not only about human rights, it is also about responsibility and respect for the rights and freedoms of another person,” President Grybauskaite said.