40th Universal Periodic Review of human rights: UK statement on Lithuania

The United Kingdom congratulates Lithuania on their election to the Human Rights Council for 2022-2024. The UK strongly welcomes Lithuania’s commitment to media freedom and its active membership of the Media Freedom Coalition.

The UK urges Lithuania to continue to provide access for UNHCR to asylum-seekers and migrants on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border. We support Lithuanian efforts to provide safe accommodation, supplies and services for those seeking asylum to ensure an adequate standard of living.

We recommend Lithuania:

1. Increase their efforts to prevent trafficking and identify modern slavery victims, including by increasing training on the use of the National Referral mechanism.

2. Eliminate hate crimes on the basis of disability, transgender identity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation including towards national minorities, by ensuring adequate funding and training for officials and ensuring victims can easily report such crimes

3. Adopt an open, merit-based process when selecting national candidates for UN Treaty Body elections.

Thank you.