VILNIUS - President Valdas Adamkus has expressed concern over news that Lithuania's human rights situation has worsened since acceding the European Union in 2004. Adamkus met with the board chairman of the non-governmental Human Rights Monitoring Institute, Kestutis Cilinksas, and Institute Director Henrikas Mickevicius on June 2. A report on the implementation of human rights in Lithuania in 2005 was presented to the president at the meeting, and in the words of the president's spokeswoman, Adamkus expressed a positive opinion about the document.
At the same time, the president is concerned that the human rights situation has worsened.
According to the report, the Human Rights Monitoring Institute established severe violations of protection of human rights and liberties in various fields. The report strongly rebukes state institutions, the legal system and bailiffs' activities.
After being acquainted with the document, the president asked the Human Rights Monitoring Institute to present specific proposals as to how the current situation could be improved.
Presented to the public in mid-May, the report on the human rights situation says that the apogee of disregard for human rights was reached in Lithuania last year.
"Looking at the situation of Lithuania in international context, it should be noted that last year was unfavorable to human rights in the whole world. U.S. and international human rights protection organizations noted last year that human rights were restricted without reason disguised under the fight against terrorism," Cilinskas said.
However, he added that some signs "allow viewing last year's situation with hope that the worst times for human rights have disappeared."