UN expert calls on Lithuania to look at data protection in prisons

VILNIUS – Ana Brian Nougreres, the UN special rapporteur on the right to privacy, has called on Lithuania to look at data protection issues in prisons. 

Nougreres is visiting Lithuania this week to identify good practices and areas for improvement and to make concrete recommendations on the protection of the right to privacy.

"Data protection in prisons should be considered particularly carefully," she said while presenting her preliminary findings at a news conference in Vilnius.

As part of her visit, the UN expert met with officials from a dozen institutions, including the State Security Department, the Justice Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the Supreme Court, the Police Department, and the Center for Registers. 

Nougreres also met with members of the parliament to discuss a law on the establishment on the institution of an intelligence ombudsperson, and draft legislation on same-sex partnerships.

"Vulnerable groups such as migrants, refugees, children, seniors and LGBT people should be given greater protection," she told reporters. 

The information gathered during the visit will form the basis for the UN special rapporteur's report to the UN Human Rights Council on the right to privacy in Lithuania.

Nougreres said that Lithuania's representatives will able to meet with UN representatives to discuss areas of concern before the report is ready.