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EUROPEAN

COMMISSION

Brussels, 24.7.2024

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COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT

2024 Rule of Law Report

Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania

Accompanying the document

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN

PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL

COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

2024 Rule of Law Report

The rule of law situation in the European Union

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BSTRACT

The justice system continues to perform efficiently, and the use of digital tools continues to

be fostered. A reform of judicial salaries adopted in July 2023 is positively assessed by

judges, while concerns remain as to the remuneration of court staff and prosecutors. The new

selection procedures for judicial appointments in force since January 2023 have allowed for

multiple appointments to the Supreme Court without delays but there are calls to reinforce

some more safeguards on the transparency of judicial appointments in the law. There are

concerns that the discretion in announcing competitions and finalising judicial appointments

may lead to delays in appointments and to vacant posts in lower courts. The Government has

condemned acts of intimidation by Russian courts whereby they rendered sentences against

judges, exerting pressure on judges and prosecutors. The reform of the legal aid system

continues to advance but is not yet finalised, while legal aid providers underline that the

stipulated increase of hourly fees remains below inflation rates.

The first implementation plan 2023-2025 for the National Anti-Corruption Agenda 2022-

2033 is well on track. The implementation of the law on the adjustment of public and private

interests remains efficient, while further adjustments are under way to improve the

declaration process. The investigations and prosecutions in relation to corruption-related

offences are carried out efficiently. There continue to be concerns over shortcomings

regarding the handling of foreign bribery cases and the authorities are considering the

appropriate follow-up. High-risk areas for corruption, including public procurement, continue

to be addressed by the authorities. The number of submitted lobbying declarations increases

annually. The current rules on political party financing are being implemented. The

whistleblowing framework is functioning well, and the authorities aim at further

strengthening the current rules.

The legal framework for media freedom and pluralism in Lithuania continues to guarantee

the fundamental right of freedom of expression and the right to information. The broadened

composition of the media self-regulatory body has been predominantly met with positive

reactions. Transparency of media ownership is further promoted by linking it to access to the

new Media Support Fund which announced the first recipients in April 2024. The public

service broadcaster continues to operate independently. The situation regarding access to

documents is better with the guidelines for public authorities, although their implementation

by public authorities at all levels of government can still be improved. The Government has

adopted an action plan for the safety of journalists and continues to strengthen their

protection against abusive lawsuits.

Additional human and financial resources have been allocated to the Office of the

Parliamentary Ombudspersons. New rules to improve the quality of legislation are under

preparation. The civic space continues to be considered open, but concerns have been

expressed among civil society organisations regarding their effective participation in

decision-making processes and access to information. The Judicial Council is preparing a

proposal to be granted the right of constitutional appeal regarding legislation affecting the

judiciary.

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ECOMMENDATIONS

Overall, concerning the recommendations in the 2023 Rule of Law Report, Lithuania has

made:

•

Some further progress on continuing the reform of the legal aid system by ensuring

adequate conditions for the participation of legal aid providers, taking into account

European standards on legal aid.

Some further progress on continuing efforts to improve the transparency of the system of

appointments to judicial positions, notably to the Supreme Court, taking into account

European standards on judicial appointments.

Significant progress on continuing efforts to provide adequate resources for the justice

system, including on the level of remuneration for prosecutors and non-judicial staff,

taking into account European standards on resources and remuneration for the justice

system.

Significant progress on providing adequate human and financial resources for the

functioning of the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudspersons, taking into account

European standards on resources for Ombudsinstitutions and the UN Paris Principles.

•

On this basis, and considering other developments that took place in the period of reference,

it is recommended to Lithuania to:

•

Finalise the reform of the legal aid system, in particular by reducing the administrative

burden and ensuring adequate conditions for the participation of legal aid providers,

taking into account European standards on legal aid.

Continue efforts to improve the transparency of the system of appointments to judicial

positions, notably to the Supreme Court, taking into account European standards on

judicial appointments.

Continue efforts to provide adequate human and financial resources for the justice

system, taking into account European standards on resources for the justice system.

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USTICE

YSTEM

The justice system is composed of the Constitutional Court

, courts of general jurisdiction

(the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, regional courts and district courts) and courts of

special jurisdiction (the Supreme Administrative Court and a Regional administrative court).

The judges of the Supreme Court, as well as its President chosen from among them, are

appointed and released by Parliament (Seimas) upon submission by the President of the

Republic. The judges of the Court of Appeal, as well as its President chosen from among

them, are appointed by the President of the Republic upon the assent of Parliament. The

judges and presidents of district, regional, and specialised courts are appointed, and their

places of work can be changed, by the President of the Republic. The Judicial Council,

entirely composed of judges appointed by their peers, is the executive body of judicial self-

governance, and ensures the independence of courts and judges

. The Judicial Council

advises the President of the Republic on the appointment, promotion, and transfer of judges,

or their release from duties. The National Courts Administration, which is independent from

the executive, is competent for providing material and technical support to the courts,

ensuring the efficient functioning of the court system and the training of judges. Prosecutors

are independent; the Prosecutor General is appointed and dismissed by the President of the

Republic upon the assent of Parliament

. Lower-ranked prosecutors are appointed by the

Prosecutor General, on the recommendation of a Selection Commission

. Lithuania

participates in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). The Bar Association is an

independent part of the legal system.

Independence

The level of perceived judicial independence in Lithuania continues to be average

among the general public and high among companies.

Overall, 56% of the general

population and 62% of companies perceive the level of independence of courts and judges to

be ‘fairly or very good’ in 2024

. Among the general public, this figure has slightly decreased

in comparison with 2023 (57%), but it is higher than in 2020 (52%). The perceived judicial

independence among companies has decreased in comparison with 2023 (64%), as well as in

comparison with 2020 (66%)

The Constitutional Court is composed of nine judges, appointed by Parliament, from among candidates

presented by the President of the Republic, the Speaker of Parliament, and the President of the Supreme

Court.

Art. 119, Law on Courts.

Deputy Prosecutors General are appointed and dismissed by the President of the Republic on the proposal of

the Prosecutor General.

Arts. 22 and 26, Law on the amendment of the law on the prosecutor’s office, No. I-599, of 13 October

1994.

Figures 51 and 53, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard, and Figures 50 and 52, 2022 EU Justice Scoreboard. The

level of perceived judicial independence is categorised as follows: very low (below 30% of respondents

perceive judicial independence as fairly good and very good); low (between 30-39%), average (between 40-

59%), high (between 60-75%), very high (above 75%).

54% of the companies in Lithuania are either fairly or very confident that their investments are protected by

the law and courts in the Member State. 26% of the surveyed companies see the quality, efficiency or

independence of justice as one of the main reasons for concern about investment protection in the country.

Figures 55 and 56, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.

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The new selection procedures for judicial appointments in force since January 2023

have allowed for multiple appointments to the Supreme Court without delays resulting

in some further progress to improve the transparency of judicial appointments, but

there are calls to reinforce some more safeguards in the law.

The 2023 Rule of Law

Report recommended to Lithuania to ‘[c]ontinue efforts to improve the transparency of the

system of appointments to judicial positions, notably to the Supreme Court, taking into

account European standards on judicial appointments’

. As mentioned in the 2023 Rule of

Law Report, amendments to the Law on Courts, which introduced changes to the selection

procedures for candidates for judicial office, came into force in January 2023

. During the

reporting period, and under the new provisions, multiple appointments to the Supreme Court

took place, without the delays reported in previous years

. According to the new system,

candidates to judicial office are evaluated by a Selection Commission and entered in a

general ranking list of courts of the relevant jurisdiction

. The order of candidates on the list

is determined by the date at which they were added to the list of candidates

, and not by an

assessment ranking. No further changes were introduced during the reporting year, in

particular with regard to the discretionary power of the President of the Republic in selecting

candidates, without an obligation to motivate

The opinion of the Selection Commission

remains consultative and candidate judges who are not appointed cannot request judicial

review

. However, stakeholders report that there have been fewer instances in which the

decisions of the President of the Republic departed from the lists prepared by the Selection

Commission

. Stakeholders have welcomed the improvements in the practices regarding

appointments but continue to call for a legislative change which would provide for the

obligation to motivate the decisions concerning appointments, and for the possibility of

judicial review

14,15

. New discussions in this respect were triggered in March 2024, when the

integrity officer of Lithuanian courts

decided to investigate one case where the candidate

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 2. The 2022 Rule of

Law Report had also recommended to Lithuania to ‘‘[i]nitiate a process in view of adapting the system of

appointments to judicial positions, notably to the Supreme Court, including to improve transparency and

taking into account European standards on judicial appointments’ (2022 Rule of Law Report, Country

Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 2). In the 2023 Rule of Law Report, the Commission

concluded that some progress was made on the recommendation.

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 4.

2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 3; 2023 Rule of Law

Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, pp. 3-4.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 3.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 6.

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 5.

Information received from the Judicial Council in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

Information received from the Judicial Council and National Courts Administration in the context of the

country visit to Lithuania. See also Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 of the Committee of Ministers of the

Council of Europe, para. 47. The Court of Justice of the European Union has underlined that it is necessary

to ensure that the substantive conditions and procedural rules governing the adoption of judicial appointment

decisions are such that they cannot give rise to reasonable doubts, in the minds of individuals, as to the

imperviousness of the judges concerned to external factors and as to their neutrality with respect to the

interests before them, once they have been appointed as judges (see e.g. Court of Justice of the European

Union, judgment of 20 April 2021, Repubblika, C-896/19, para. 57, and the case law cited.

In view of the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court (ruling of 9 May 2006), the Lithuanian authorities

express doubt as to whether such legislative amendments, in particular, regarding judicial review, would be

compatible with that jurisprudence.

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 5.

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with the lowest assessment was selected for appointment

. Overall, there has been some

further progress on the recommendation made in the 2023 Rule of Law Report.

The discretion in announcing competitions and finalising judicial appointments leads to

delays in appointments and to vacant posts in lower courts.

The amendments to the Law

on Courts, were expected to speed up the process of appointments in all instances

However, it is reported that the reform has not led to the process being as fast and effective as

expected at the level of lower courts

. Stakeholders consider that the fact that the President

of the Republic retains discretion to announce the opening of the selection procedure, as well

as to decide on the selected candidates to be appointed, without there being any timeline

, is

leading to delays in the appointment procedures to lower courts

. Such delays have led to an

increase in vacancies in district and regional courts

, with considerable impact on the courts

capacity to operate

. Both the Judicial Council and the National Courts Administration have

called on the Office of the President of the Republic for more predictability

, and are seeking

to optimise the institutional cooperation in this regard

The Government has condemned acts of intimidation by Russian courts whereby they

render sentences against judges, exerting pressure on judges and prosecutors.

On 17

August 2023, the Basmannyj District Court in Moscow sentenced

in absentia

and authorised

the arrest of three Lithuanian judges, who had delivered the first instance judgment of 27

March 2019

in the case related to the events of 13 January of 1991

, when the armed forces

of the USSR committed an act of aggression against the independent state of Lithuania,

Meeting of the Judicial Council of 1 March 2024, available at: https://www.teismai.lt/lt/teismu-

savivalda/teiseju-taryba/teiseju-tarybos-posedziu-transliacijos/9653; see also Lrytas, ‘Head of the Judicial

Council S. Rudėnaitė on the procedure for appointing judges: the president cannot put his hand in the bag

and pull out the 90th candidate’, 3 April 2024.

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 4.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 3. See also Contribution from European Network

of Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ) for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 26.

Reply from the National Courts Administration of the Republic of Lithuania to the judicial independence

questionnaire distributed by the European Network of Councils for the Judiciary, February 2024.

Information received from the Judicial Council and National Courts Administration in the context of the

country visit to Lithuania.

In January 2024, there were 63 vacancies in district courts, 8 vacancies in regional courts and 2 vacancies in

regional administrative courts (Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 3).

Information received from the Judicial Council and National Courts Administration in the context of the

country visit to Lithuania.

Information received from the Judicial Council and National Courts Administration in the context of the

country visit to Lithuania.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 3. See also Contribution from European Network

of Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ) for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 26-27.

Charges were brought in the Vilnius Regional Court against Dmitry Yazov, former Defence Minister of the

Soviet Union, Vladimir Uskhopchik, the Soviet army’s former Vilnius garrison commander, Mikhail

Golovatov, former commander of the KGB’s special forces and 64 other former officials of the Soviet Union

alleging their participation in crimes against humanity and war crimes during the events which took place in

Vilnius on 13 January 1991. On 27 March 2019 the Vilnius Regional Court gave its judgment finding all the

accused guilty of various crimes against humanity or war crimes. See also ‘European association of judges

statement on the purported prosecution of Lithuanian judges by Russian authorities’.

See also ‘European Parliament resolution of 28 November 2019 on recent actions by the Russian Federation

against Lithuanian judges, prosecutors and investigators involved in investigating the tragic events of 13

January 1991 in Vilnius’ (2019/2938(RSP)).

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which left 14 people dead and nearly 800 injured

. Stakeholders and the Lithuanian

Government have condemned these actions

, and raised concerns that these may not only

exert pressure on Lithuanian judges, but also on the judges of the international community

The concerns were also brought to the attention of the European Commission by the Judicial

Council

. According to European standards, judges should have unfettered freedom to

decide cases impartially, in accordance with the law and their interpretation of the facts

The interpretation of the law, assessment of facts or weighing of evidence carried out to

determine cases should not give rise to criminal liability, except in cases of malice

Initiatives to support integrity in the justice system continue to be prioritised.

In 2023,

the Judicial Council approved the Policy of the Transparency of Lithuanian Courts

, setting

up the essential values and general principles to be promoted in courts, that should be

complied with by all agents in the justice system

. Special training on ‘Creation of an anti-

corruption environment in the judiciary’ is also being conducted, and is now part of

compulsory introductory training for judges

. Following an OECD recommendation

, a

‘risk map of the justice sector’ is currently under preparation

Discussions continue regarding the need to regulate ‘revolving doors’ in appointments

to the Constitutional Court.

The 2023 Rule of Law Report took note of the discussions

concerning the need to regulate ‘revolving doors’ in the Constitutional Court as currently

there are no limitations for political officials to become a judge of the Constitutional Court if

Between July 2018 and April 2019, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation initiated criminal

proceedings against the prosecutors, investigators and judges of the Republic of Lithuania who were

involved in investigating and judging the events of 13 January of 1991. On 14 December 2020, the same

Committee announced that charges had been brought against those judges. There is increasing concern about

the possibility that the Russian authorities would request Interpol to issue a notice targeting the judges

involved in the case at first and second instance; information received from the Judicial Council and

National Courts Administration in the context of the country visit to Lithuania. To minimise the possibility

of using Interpol’s search channels, Lithuanian authorities provide Interpol with updating reports concerning

individuals potentially facing political persecution due to their involvement in investigating cases linked to

the events of 13 January 1991 (information received from the Ministry of Interior in the context of the

country visit to Lithuania).

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ‘Lithuania’s Permanent Representative asks UN Special Rapporteur to react to

Russia's illegal actions against Lithuanian judges in January 13 case’, 21 December 2020.

Information received from the Lithuanian Government, Judicial Council and National Courts Administration

in the context of the country visit to Lithuania. See also ‘European association of judges statement on the

purported prosecution of Lithuanian judges by Russian authorities’.

Letter from the Judicial Council to the European Commission, of 29 August 2023.

Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, para. 5.

Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, para. 68.

Available at: https://www.teismai.lt/data/public/uploads/2023/01/skaidrumo-politika.pdf.

In particular, it establishes a policy of non-tolerance to bribery, trade and abuse of office by employees,

abuse of authority, any means of protection of family members, close persons, relatives and other persons. It

also establishes that no gifts or other thanks, rewards for the work of judges or court employees are tolerated

in the courts, except for thanks or awards given within the court system (Input from Lithuania for the 2024

Rule of Law Report, p. 14).

Contribution from European Network of Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ) for the 2024 Rule of Law

Report, p. 12.

Available at: https://www.oecd.org/publications/review-of-lithuania-s-national-agenda-on-the-prevention-of-

corruption-e6efed26-en.htm.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 14.

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the other requirements set out in the Constitution are met

, or regarding employment post

tenure at the Constitutional Court

. In this context, in July 2023 a group of members of

Parliament proposed draft amendments to extend the cases of disqualification of judges in

concrete constitutional cases in order to address cases of political officials who become

judges to the Constitutional Court

, but it was not taken forward in Parliament

. The

Government considers that, despite the absence of concrete regulation on ‘revolving doors’,

the legal provisions on self-disqualification or disqualification of Constitutional Court judges,

applicable in cases that can raise doubts as to the impartiality of the judge, provide the

necessary safeguards

. Following the appointments which took place in 2023 and which

gave rise to the discussions referred to in the 2023 Rule of Law Report

, there have been

three requests for disqualification of a judge, and three cases of self-disqualification, which

were accepted

. According to the Constitutional Court, these instances of disqualification

have not had an impact on the Constitutional Court’s activity

Lawyers continue to raise concerns regarding the respect for professional secrecy and

the right of the Minister of Justice to initiate disciplinary actions.

As noted in the 2022

and 2023 Rule of Law Reports

, concerns regarding alleged control of communications

between lawyers and their clients led the Bar Association to bring an application before the

European Court of Human Rights

, and the case remains pending

. Further concerns have

been expressed in the reporting period such as the existence of video surveillance in police

and detention facilities, and the lack of guarantee that exchanges between lawyers and clients

are not recorded

. Instances of lawyers being called to testify about facts covered by

professional secrecy, although prohibited in law, have also been reported

. According to

European standards, all necessary measures should be taken to ensure the respect of the

confidentiality of the lawyer-client relationship

. Lawyers continue to contest the fact that

the Minister of Justice can initiate disciplinary proceedings against them

. In this context,

parliamentarians have proposed draft amendments to limit the powers of the Minister of

Justice, and the Minister of Justice also submitted a draft proposal to decrease his/her role.

Being a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania with an impeccable reputation, higher education in law, and not

less than a 10-year length of service in the field of law or in a branch of science and education as a lawyer,

according to Art. 103 of the Constitution.

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 6.

The proposal would amend Art. 48 of the Law on the Constitutional Court, ‘The Self-Disqualification or

Disqualification of a Justice of the Constitutional Court’.

Information received from the Constitutional Court in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 7.

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 6.

Information received from the Constitutional Court in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 6; 2023 Rule of Law

Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 6.

Application no. 64301/19.

Information received from the Bar Association in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

Contribution from the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) for the 2024 Rule of Law

Report, p. 86. See also Figure 45, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.

Ibidem.

Recommendation No. R(2000)21 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the freedom of

exercise of the profession of lawyer, para. 6.

Figure 67, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. See also 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of

law situation in Lithuania, p. 7.

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The later proposal was however formally opposed by the Bar Association

, which

considered that it did not sufficiently address their concerns regarding the composition of the

Disciplinary Court, where two out of five members are appointed by the Minister of Justice

and can only be revoked by the Minister

Quality

There has been significant progress in providing adequate resources for the justice

system, including on the level of remuneration for prosecutors and non-judicial staff,

although the implementation of the reform is not finalised.

The 2023 Rule of Law Report

recommended to Lithuania to ‘[c]ontinue efforts to provide adequate resources for the justice

system, including on the level of remuneration for prosecutors and non-judicial staff, taking

into account European standards on resources and remuneration for the justice system’. As

mentioned in the 2023 Rule of Law Report

, the Law on Remuneration of Judges of the

Republic of Lithuania, which came into force on 1 July 2023, led to an increase in the salaries

of the judges (at all instances), presidents of the courts, vice-presidents, and presidents of the

court’s sections

. The changes are in line with European standards

, and were assessed

positively by the judiciary

, which expects the new system to be less politicised as no annual

negotiations on indexation in the context of the State budget will be necessary, and

responsive to economic changes

. Although the case concerning the adequacy of judicial

salaries under the previous system had been dismissed by the Constitutional Court

inter

alia,

due to the non-legal reasoning of the petitions, a question for a preliminary ruling was

referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union

. Concerns had also been raised on

the level of remuneration of prosecutors

. In December 2023, Parliament adopted

amendments to the Law on the Public Prosecution Service, which provides for a phased

increase in the salaries of prosecutors, as of 1 January 2024 and as of 1 January 2025

. While

Contribution from the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) for the 2024 Rule of Law

Report, p. 87.

Contribution from the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) for the 2024 Rule of Law

Report, p. 87.

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 8.

Contribution from European Network of Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ) for the 2024 Rule of Law

Report, p. 32.

Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to member

states on judges: independence, efficiency and responsibilities, para. 54 and para 33. The Court of Justice of

the European Union has declared that the receipt by the members of the judiciary of a level of remuneration

commensurate with the importance of the functions they carry out constitutes a guarantee essential to

judicial independence (Court of Justice of the European Union, judgment of 27 February 2018, C-64/16,

Associação Sindical dos Juízes Portugueses, ECLI:EU:C:2018:117, para. 45).

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 4.

Contribution from European Network of Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ) for the 2024 Rule of Law

Report, p. 32.

Information received from the Constitutional Court in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

Case C-374/23, Adoreikė.

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 8.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 19. The legislative proposal submitted by the

President of the Republic to Parliament on 15 June 2023, mentioned in the 2023 Rule of Law Report (p. 8)

which provided for an increase of the salaries of prosecutors as of 1 October 2023, was opposed by the

Government (Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 17).

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this increase has been welcomed

, prosecutors have raised concerns regarding the process of

the reform, as the prosecution was initially not involved

and underlined the current

disproportion of salaries between judges and prosecutors

. In addition, an increase of salaries

of prosecutors was phased in, while salaries of judges and all other institutions, that

participated in the reform, have been increased immediately. Concerning non-judicial staff,

the reform of civil service provides for an increase in salaries as of 1 January 2024. Although

the legal basis for an increase in the salaries of civil servants has been established, no funding

has yet been granted or planned for the increase of the salaries of civil servants in the Public

Prosecution Service. The reform does not address the situation of court or prosecutor’s office

staff contracted under general labour law. Some concerns have been expressed by the

judiciary that despite an increase in the budget allocated to courts in 2024

, the increase in

funding would be insufficient to ensure the foreseen level of salaries

. Consequently,

concerns remain among the judiciary and the National Court Administration as to the number

of vacancies and attractiveness of the profession

. Stakeholders have raised concerns that the

current situation may have an impact on the efficiency of the justice system

. According to

EU Justice Scoreboard data, Lithuania is among the Member States with the lowest

Government expenditure on law courts, both in absolute terms and as percentage of GDP

In line with European standards, each state should allocate adequate resources to the courts,

and a sufficient number of judges and appropriately qualified support staff should be

allocated to the courts

Therefore, there has been significant progress on the

recommendation made in the 2023 Rule of Law Report.

New amendments to the judicial map have been adopted, which provide for the

reorganisation of district courts.

On 29 June 2023, Parliament adopted the law

implementing the reform of district courts, which introduced changes to the judicial map.

One of the goals of this reform is to ensure more equal and effective use of the resources

allocated to the courts

. The changes aim to reduce the number of district courts and their

The Venice Commission has recalled the importance of ensuring a sufficient remuneration of prosecutors

(Venice Commission, Independence of the Judicial System, Part II: The Prosecution Service, CDL-

AD(2010)040, para. 69).

In particular, prosecutors raised concerns regarding the discussions during the legislative process, warning

that the manner in which it was conducted and statements from the executive and legislative powers

regarding the prosecution could be perceived as a form of pressure (Information received from the

Prosecution Service in the context of the country visit to Lithuania; Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule

of Law Report, pp. 17-19).

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 17. The Consultative Council of European

Prosecutors (CCPE) has recommended that ‘the remuneration of prosecutors is established at a level

analogous to the remuneration of judges, or at least at a comparable level, and without any disproportionate

differences’ (Opinion of the CCPE Bureau following a letter of the Prosecutor General of Lithuania

concerning legislative developments resulting in a disproportionately large gap in the remuneration of

prosecutors and judges, para. 27).

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 22.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 4, 22.

In March 2023, 90 posts of judicial assistants and 60 posts of court hearing clerks were vacant (information

received from the National Courts Administration in the context of the country to Lithuania).

Information received from the National Courts Administration in the context of the country to Lithuania.

Figures 33 and 34, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.

Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to member

states on judges: independence, efficiency and responsibilities, paras. 33 and 35.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 7.

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chambers, taking into consideration their workload and efficiency

, as well as to change the

territories of some district courts

. The law provides that any changes to the structure of the

courts do not affect the exercise of the powers of the judges appointed to that court until 31

December 2023

, which is in line with European standards on irremovability of judges

According to the Lithuanian authorities, the changes to the judicial map are expected to

translate into savings in the expenditure on the justice system

There has been some further progress in continuing the reform of the legal aid system,

as the conditions for the participation of legal aid providers have been improved.

The

2023 Rule of Law Reports recommended to Lithuania to ‘[c]ontinue the reform of the legal

aid system by ensuring adequate conditions for the participation of legal aid providers, taking

into account European standards on legal aid’

. Parliament adopted amendments to the Law

on State-Guaranteed Legal Aid in June 2023, which came into force on 1 January 2024. The

amendments, prepared in consultation with the Bar Association

and the State Guaranteed

Legal Aid Service, envisage special training for advocates who provide legal aid in specific

areas

, to be organised by the Bar Association. Pursuant to the law as amended, lawyers who

complete special training and provide state-guaranteed legal aid in those specific areas will be

paid double for those services

, which corresponded to a demand of the Bar Association

Additionally, as had been announced

, the hourly fee for the remuneration of lawyers was

revised, and increased to EUR 25 as of 1 January 2024

. However, lawyers consider this

increase to be nominal, as it remains below the inflation rates registered in 2022 and 2023

There will be 11 district courts and 24 court chambers instead of the current 12 district courts and 48 courts

chambers.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 8; Contribution from European Network of

Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ) for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 27.

Ibidem.

Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, para. 52.

Information received from the Ministry of Justice in the follow-up to the country visit to Lithuania.

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 2. The 2022 Rule of

Law Report had also recommended to Lithuania to ‘[c]ontinue the reform of the legal aid system, including

by ensuring adequate conditions for the participation of legal aid providers, taking into account European

standards on legal aid’ (2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania,

p. 2). In 2023, the Commission concluded that ‘some progress’ had been made on the recommendation

addressed in the 2022 Rule of Law Report.

Information received from the Bar Association in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

Defense of suspected or accused minors, representation minors – victims of certain crimes, representation of

victims of crimes in specific cases (such as cases involving human trafficking, domestic violence, hate

crimes, crimes against sexual self-determination and integrity), and representation persons who are requested

to be declared as legally incapable or in cases regarding compulsory hospitalisation and treatment (Input

from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 5). The Bar Association reports a high degree of interest

in the trainings among lawyers (Information received from the Bar Association in the context of the country

visit to Lithuania).

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 5.

Contribution from the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) for the 2024 Rule of Law

Report, p. 85.

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 9.

From EUR 20 per hour, rate established in 2022 (Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p.

5).

Contribution from the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) for the 2024 Rule of Law

Report, p. 85. Lawyers warn that even with the 25% increase in 2024, considering the inflation rates, the

current remuneration remains below the rate of 2021 (Information received from the Bar Association in the

context of the country visit to Lithuania).

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Lawyers also call for the reform to be taken further, in particular in order to make the

administrative aspect of the system less cumbersome, and suggest the system to be directly

administered by the Bar Association, rather than by a State service

. However, the possibility

to delegate the administration of the legal aid system to the Bar Association was discussed by

the State-guaranteed Legal Aid Coordination Council (an advisory body composed of

relevant stakeholders) and was rejected. The Government has announced new measures in

2024, aimed at reducing the administrative burden on lawyers and managing the caseload

Therefore, there has been some further progress on the recommendation made in the previous

years.

The use of digital tools in the justice system is widespread and continues to be fostered.

Electronic communication tools are widely available, both for courts

and the prosecution

service

. Digital solutions allow to initiate and follow proceedings in civil, commercial and

administrative

cases, but remains more limited in criminal cases, where, for instance, it is

still not possible for defendants to communicate confidentially with their lawyers during

remote hearings

. Online access to published judgments is ensured in all instances, for civil,

commercial and administrative cases

, and a new project aims to establish consistency in the

application of EU law by integrating the European Case Law Identifier (ECLI) into the

Lithuanian Courts information system

. The National Courts Administration is working on

introducing speech recognition software in courts, which will provide automated processing

and transcription of audio recordings of court proceedings

Efficiency

The justice system continues to perform efficiently, in particular in civil and

commercial cases.

According to data in the 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard, the disposition time

in first instance civil, commercial and administrative cases remains low, despite a slight

increase in 2022

. The disposition time in civil and commercial cases, as well as in

administrative cases in first instance was the lowest in the EU in 2022

, while in civil and

commercial cases at third instance an increase was registered

. The number of pending non-

criminal first instance cases remained stable and comparatively low at 1.2 per 100

inhabitants

100

. While the rate of resolving cases is stable, in 2022 courts received more cases

than those resolved

101

. To further improve the efficiency of the justice system, amendments

100

101

Contribution from the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) for the 2024 Rule of Law

Report, p. 85.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 5.

Figure 45, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.

Figure 46, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.

Figure 47, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.

Figure 48, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.

Figure 49, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 25.

Figure 5, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.

Figures 6 and 8, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.

From 403 days in 2021, to 451 days in 2022. Figure 7, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.

Figure 13, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.

Figures 10 and 11, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.

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to the Law on Mediation were adopted in June 2024. These changes are expected to

positively impact the overall length of court proceedings

102

II.

NTI

-C

ORRUPTION

RAMEWORK

The Ministry of Justice and the Special Investigation Service are the main bodies in charge of

the coordination of anti-corruption preventive measures at national level. The Chief Official

Ethics Commission supervises the ethics standards in public administration. Furthermore, the

Special Investigation Service is tasked with preparing and implementing certain anti-

corruption preventive measures. The task to fight against corruption is shared among several

authorities. The Special Investigation Service has competences to detect and investigate

corruption-related criminal offences and conduct pre-trial investigations and is in charge of

investigating the most serious corruption crimes

103

. The Prosecution Service organises and

coordinates pre-trial investigations and may also decide to conduct the entire or part of the

pre-trial investigation by itself.

The perception among experts and business executives is that the level of corruption in

the public sector is relatively low.

In the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index by

Transparency International, Lithuania scores 61/100 and ranks 12

in the European Union

and 34

globally

104

. This perception has been relatively stable over the past five years

105

. The

2024 Special Eurobarometer on Corruption shows that 83% of respondents consider

corruption widespread in their country (EU average 68%) and 24% of respondents feel

personally affected by corruption in their daily lives (EU average 27%)

106

. As regards

businesses, 62% of companies consider that corruption is widespread (EU average 65%) and

28% consider that corruption is a problem when doing business (EU average 36%)

107

Furthermore, 38% of respondents find that there are enough successful prosecutions to deter

people from corrupt practices (EU average 32%)

108

, while 39% of companies believe that

people and businesses caught for bribing a senior official are appropriately punished (EU

average 31%)

109

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 27-28.

Other investigation authorities are the police, the State Border Guard Service, the Financial Crime

Investigation Service and Custom but their competence is limited to offences committed by one of their

officials.

Transparency International, Corruption Perceptions Index 2023 (2024). The level of perceived corruption is

categorised as follows: low (the perception among experts and business executives of public sector

corruption scores above 79); relatively low (scores between 79-60), relatively high (scores between 59-50),

high (scores below 50).

In 2019 the score was 60, while in 2023, the score is 61. The score significantly increases/decreases when it

changes more than five points; improves/deteriorates (changes between 4-5 points); is relatively stable

(changes from 1-3 points) in the last five years.

Special Eurobarometer 548 on Citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024). The Eurobarometer

data on citizens’ corruption perception and experience is updated every year. The previous data set is the

Special Eurobarometer 534 (2023).

Flash Eurobarometer 543 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024). The Eurobarometer

data on businesses’ attitudes towards corruption as is updated every year. The previous data set is the Flash

Eurobarometer 524 (2023).

Special Eurobarometer 548 on Citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024).

Flash Eurobarometer 543 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024).

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The first implementation plan 2023-2025 for the National Anti-Corruption Agenda

2022-2033 is well on track.

As mentioned in the 2023 Rule of Law Report

110

, the 2023-

2025 Plan for the Implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Agenda for 2022-2033

111

was approved in May 2023 and it is now being implemented. The responsibility for

developing and supervising the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Agenda lies

with the Government in cooperation with the Special Investigation Service. The

implementation is decentralised, namely the Plan is implemented by various public sector

institutions, depending on sectors and their competence. A working group composed of the

representatives of the institutions responsible for the implementation of the Plan as well as of

observers from civil society organisations

112

was set up to coordinate this process and to

promptly detect any potential implementation problems

113

The investigations and prosecutions in relation to corruption offences are carried out

efficiently.

The number of reports concerning possible acts of corruption reported by

individuals to the

Special Investigation Service

was over 30% higher in 2023 than in 2022

114

During the first six months of 2023, concerning corruption offences, 47 persons were

convicted and seven persons were acquitted by the final court decision, seven high level and

complex cases were investigated

115

The EPPO investigated six corruption cases in 2023,

which accounts for 6% of the total number of EPPO cases in Lithuania

116

In the end of 2023,

the

Special Investigation Service

investigated 693 offences (compared to 816 in 2022) and

120 cases were under the pre-trial investigation (compared to 126 in 2022) while 172 judicial

decisions were taken (compared to 103 in 2022) with 47 acquittals out of 172 (compared to

29 acquittals out of 103 cases in 2022)

117

. In 2023, investigations into 277 criminal offences

were initiated by Special Investigation Service (compared to 453 in 2022)

118

. Between

January and November 2023, 269 corruption-related criminal offences were registered by the

Prosecutor General’s Office (compared to 453 in 2022)

119

, which represents a significant

decrease. In parallel, the number of acquittals for corruption offences has been

increasing for

the last few years

120

(27.33%

in 2023)

121

. In terms of adjudication of corruption offences,

convictions were issued also in high-level corruption cases

122

In 2023, the

Special

110

111

112

113

114

115

116

117

118

119

120

121

122

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 12.

Resolution No. XIV-1178 of 28 June 2022.

Namely Transparency International, initiative ‘Clear Wave’, Lithuanian Artists' Association, charity and

support fund ‘Information and Support Center of Non- Governmental Organisations’. Information received

from the Special Investigation Service in the context of the country visit in Lithuania.

Order of the Minister of Justice No 1R-327 of 16 October 2023.

Special Investigation Service, ‘In 2023, the STT received a 30% increase in reports of possible corruption

from individuals’, 29 January 2024.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 44.

EPPO, Annual Report 2023, p. 41.

Special Investigation Service, 2023 Activity Report, pp. 12-13, 17.

Special Investigation Service, 2023 Activity Report, p. 12.

Those concerned passive bribery, trading in influence, active bribery, abuse of office. Input from Lithuania

for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 44.

3.83% in 2018; 4.78% in 2019; 5.88% in 2020; 11.38% in 2021; 19% in 2022; 18.5% between January and

September 2023.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 44.

Website of the President of the Republic of Lithuania, The President met with the Director of the Special

Investigation Service, 23 February 2024. In comparison to

3.83% in 2018; 4.78% in 2019; 5.88% in 2020;

11.38% in 2021; 19% in 2022; 18.5% in 2023 (January – September).

Input from Lithuania for the 2024

Rule of Law Report, p. 44.

In November 2023, the Court of Appeals reconsidered the ruling of political corruption case involving MG

Group and the former MPs for bribery and influence peddling. LRT, ‘Lithuania’s MG Grupė pays €1.1m

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Investigation Service

completed the project ‘Strengthening multidisciplinary and regional

approach in fighting corruption and fraud affecting EU financial interests in the Baltic

region’

123

and launched a new project on ‘Strengthening capacities of the

Special

Investigation Service

to investigate digital evidence’

124

There continue to be concerns over shortcomings regarding the handling of foreign

bribery cases and the authorities are considering the appropriate follow-up.

The OECD

report on Lithuania’s implementation and enforcement of the Convention on Combating

Bribery of Foreign Public Officials

125

reports on positive elements such as the legislative and

policy frameworks for fighting foreign bribery as well as the digitalisation of bank

information search for investigations

126

. However, it issued 49 recommendations regarding

the investigation and prosecution of the foreign bribery cases

127

. The recommendations

concern the need to promptly and proactively investigate foreign bribery allegations

128

amend the corporate liability law to eliminate the consideration of shareholder culpability

129

rationalise the process to remedy retaliation against whistleblowers

130

and routinely seek for

confiscation against bribers. The authorities are currently considering the appropriate follow

up to the recommendations

131

. While there has not yet been any conviction for foreign

123

124

125

126

127

128

129

130

131

fine in political corruption case’, 24 November 2023. LRT, ‘Former liberal leader and business tycoon given

prison sentences in Lithuania’s MG Baltic corruption case’, 22 November 2023.The Supreme Court

confirmed the conviction in the political party ‘Order and Justice’ Conviction in the Kaunas City

municipality case for bribery – November 2023. Information received from the Prosecution Service in the

context of the country visit in Lithuania.

The project aims to improve prevention, detection, investigation and cooperation abilities of law

enforcement and other related authorities involved in the protection of the Union’s financial interests in the

Baltic region. Special Investigation Service, ‘Cooperation of the Baltic countries in the fight against

corruption and fraud is being strengthened’, 5 February 2021. OLAF, ‘Lithuania: Multidisciplinary approach

and regional cooperation in tackling corruption and fraud risks affecting EU financial interests under the

Hercule III Programme (HERCULE-2020-TC-AG) 2023.

The project aims to keep up-to-date and improve detection and investigation abilities of the Special

Investigation Service involved in the protection of the Union’s financial interests in Lithuania by obtaining

the license of IT forensic tool ‘Graykey’ which is used as the one of the key components of Special

Investigation Service IT forensic toolset. Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 30.

OECD (2023), Phase 3 evaluation of Lithuania.

An electronic system of requesting and obtaining judicial authorisation to lift bank secrecy has accelerated

the execution of mutual legal assistance requests. The systems of the Prosecutor General’s Office and

Ministry of Justice for registering mutual legal assistance requests have been improved, though their

statistical capabilities need to be strengthened. The establishment of a central register of beneficial owners is

welcomed, as is a requirement that the certain corporate annual reports provide information on fighting

foreign bribery. OECD (2023), Phase 3 evaluation of Lithuania, pp. 7, 23.

OECD (2023), Phase 3 evaluation of Lithuania, pp. 58-62.

Authorities have also overlooked some allegations of this crime reported in the foreign media, and not

proactively investigated others. OECD (2023), Phase 3 evaluation of Lithuania, pp. 7, 18, 20.

Lithuanian courts consider whether a shareholder is culpable before holding a company liable for foreign

bribery. Such an approach is incompatible with the realities of the modern corporation where management

and ownership are often separated by design. Companies’ anti-corruption compliance programmes are not

explicitly recognised as a mitigating factor at sentencing. Nor can companies be required to implement such

programmes as a part of a sentence. OECD (2023), Phase 3 evaluation of Lithuania, pp. 11-12.

The OECD considers that, despite awareness raising efforts, individuals remain reluctant to report corruption

and rates of whistleblowing are poor, largely because of a lack of reporting culture. Multiple avenues of

redress are available to whistleblowers who suffer retribution, each offering remedies of varying

effectiveness. OECD (2023), Phase 3 evaluation of Lithuania, p. 51.

Information received from the Special Investigation Service in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

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bribery in Lithuania, the Special Investigation Service reported to have conducted six pre-

trial investigations in 2023 of which five started in 2023

132

The revised law on prevention of corruption is being efficiently implemented.

mentioned in the 2023 Rule of Law Report

133

, following the entry into force of the new rules

included in the Law on prevention of corruption

134

of January 2022, the authorities focused

on their implementation. In 2023, the Special Investigation Service received 75 reports from

employees working in the public sector, who are obliged

135

to report suspicions of corruption

to law enforcement agencies

136

. In 2023, the Special Investigation Service e-learning

platform was further developed and became a regularly used anti-corruption awareness

raising tool for various public and private sector organisations

137

. In parallel, training

activities were organised

138

. The Special Investigation Service also updated the Guidelines

for Creating an Anti-Corruption Environment for Business

139

, whose main goals are to

improve awareness of the damage caused by corruption, to support corporations develop anti-

corruption tools, and to increase business transparency and accountability. Events for the

public sector regarding the measures provided for in the Law on prevention of corruption are

regularly carried out

140

. Based on the outcome of the evaluation of the Law on Prevention of

Corruption, which is currently being carried out by the Ministry of Justice, measures to

improve the corruption prevention system are expected to be considered

141

The implementation of the law on the adjustment of public and private interests

remains efficient, while further adjustments are under way to improve the declaration

process.

As regards the implementation of the current rules provided for in the Law on the

132

133

134

135

136

137

138

139

140

141

Special Investigation Service, 2023 Activity Report, p. 14.

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 12.

Law No. XIV-471, of 29 June 2021, Amending Law No. IX-904 on the Prevention of Corruption.

According to Art. 9 of the Law on the Prevention of Corruption.

Special Investigation Service, ‘In 2023, the STT received a 30% increase in reports of possible corruption

from individuals’, 29 January 2024.

Currently the Special Investigation Service e-learning platform offers 17 topics, 5 of which were introduced

in 2023, namely national anti-corruption system, corruption prevention for the public, supervision of

economic entities, educational institutions and probability of corruption. Currently, the training topics were

categorised into general topics, specific target areas and topics for corruption prevention and other

specialists. Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 34.

The Special Investigation Service provided 92 trainings to 7.835 public officials. Input from Lithuania for

the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 34. In 2023, more than 43.000 certificates of accomplishment were issued

to 28.000 users of the platform (out of 80.000 certificates in total since the platform was launched), and

Integrity Academy organised 13 events for exchanging best practices on anti-corruption, with over 5.000

participants. Furthermore, 24 entities and teachers received anticorruption expertise from the mentors of the

Integrity Academy. Integrity Academy, Special Investigation Service, official website,

https://skaidrumoakademija.lt/apie/.

These guidelines concern measures such as: company’s anti-corruption policy; identifying, assessing and

managing the corruption risks a company faces in its business environment; determining employees’

tolerance of corruption and unethical behaviour; codes of ethics and conduct; policy to avoid conflicts of

interest; raising employees’ anti-corruption awareness; assessing the integrity and loyalty of recruited

employees; gifts and representation policy; charitable donations and sponsorships policy; lobbying activities

policy; internal whistleblowing channels and protection of whistleblowers etc. Input from Lithuania for the

2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 35.

E.g., in 2023 there were events for internal auditors, events about measures such as anti-corruption

assessment of legal acts or drafts thereof, determination of the probability of manifestation of corruption,

corruption prevention planning documents; events regarding whistleblower protection institute and Law on

the Adjustment of Public and Private Interests. Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 43.

Written input from Lithuania to the 2024 Rule of Law Report.

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adjustment of public and private interests (LAPPI)

142

, investigations of possible misconduct

are opened upon request, or

ex officio

following media reports

143

. Although the electronic

tool PINREG

144

facilitates the declaration process

145

, it does not replace the manual check of

the submitted declarations

146

. COEC

147

is planning to propose further amendments to the

functioning of PINREG to clarify the mandatory data that needs to be provided

148

. In July

2023, the President of the Republic vetoed proposed amendments

149

to LAPPI that sought to

remove the Chief Official Ethics Commission from analysing potential conflicts of interest of

mayors and members of municipal councils

150

. In 2023, the COEC received the usual number of

reports (around 250) while it investigated and passed 24 decisions (compared to 55 in 2022) on the

violations of the provisions of LAPPI

151

. In 2023, the COEC developed a distance learning course on

the declaration of private interests intended for all declarants in order to provide advice on the

application of the provisions of LAPPI to institutions and bodies conducting investigations

152

The number of submitted lobbying declarations increases annually.

Since 2021, when the

Law on Lobbying Activities was amended, the number of registered lobbyists has nearly

tripled — from 122 lobbyists in December 2020 to 330 lobbyists in August 2023

153

. In 2023,

142

143

144

145

146

147

148

149

150

151

152

153

The Law on the Adjustment of Public and Private Interests, No. VIII-371 of 7 July 1997.

In 2023 COEC received over 300 notifications of possible breaches of LAPPI. As a result, 50 investigations

were carried out. Information received from COEC in the context of the country visit in Lithuania.

The PINREG is intended not only for declaring persons, but also for the public, whose members can easily

search for relevant declarations of private interests, as well as for the management of the institution or its

authorised representatives, who can create in the PINREG the structure of the institution, the list of declaring

employees, easily analyse the data of their declarations of private interests, and ensure control (COEC

Annual Activity Report 2021, p. 16).

Information received from COEC, Special Investigation Service and Transparency International in the

context of the country visit in Lithuania.

In April 2023, Deputy Finance Minister Gediminas Norkūnas was found to have been wrongly filling his

private interest declaration. The Chief Official Ethics Commission ruled that G. Norkūnas had a conflict of

interest over owning a stake in a state-controlled energy company Ignitis Grupė. The ruling stated that the

deputy minister placed himself in a conflict when making decisions on the state-controlled energy group’s

activities and that he failed to declare his interests properly. As a result, he stepped down. Given the duty to

firstly self-assess before declaring one's interest, the Vilnius Regional Court has identified a risk of improper

declaration and stressed that judges have to better understand how to declare their private interest and when.

Baltics News, ‘Norkūnas did not avoid a conflict of interest regarding decisions in “Ignitis Group”’, 12 April

2023.

Chief Official Ethics Commission (COEC) is a body tasked with assisting persons in declaring their

interests, monitoring the process of declaring one's interests and carrying investigations about possible

misdoings.

Information received from COEC in the context of the country visit in Lithuania.

The vetoed amendments to the Law of the Adjustment of Public and Private Interests, Law Nr. XIV-2089 of

22 June 2023.

The draft Law, dropped as a result of the veto, suggested that such conflicts should first be examined by the

ethics commission of the local government rather than the central one. According to the President, the

proposal contradicts the currently established control mechanism of politicians’ behaviour and does not

create trustworthy democratic governance, as foreseen by the Code of Conduct of Politicians. The website of

the President of Lithuania, ‘Presidential veto: The High Commission on Official Ethics must defend the

constitutional principle of the service of government bodies to the people’, 5 July 2023.

In 2023, the majority of violations due to a conflict of private and public interests was found in the case of

participation in or attempts to influence the deliberations and adoption of decisions concerning private

interests of the declarant or a person close to the declarant (12). Seven of the cases involved state politicians

(two mayors of municipalities and five members of municipal councils). The violations of this nature are

among the most frequent in the practice of the COEC. COEC Annual Activity Report 2023, p. 7.

COEC Annual Activity Report 2023, p. 7.

SKAIDRIS – the platform for lobbying transparency, Chief Official Ethics Commission.

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the COEC received 21 reports and investigated 6 cases on the violation of the lobbying

rules

154

. Over the past two and a half years, lobbyists have declared 2.5 times more

declarations (1963) than politicians and civil servants (792)

155

. The majority of declared

lobbying activities are related to the Law on Pharmacy and legislation related to trade in

marketplaces, lotteries, electronic communications, and the regulation on tobacco products

156

The current rules on political party financing are being implemented.

The rules in place

regarding political party financing are generally considered to be sufficient and well

implemented

157

. In 2023, the Special Investigation Service launched eleven pre-trial

investigations in connection with the expenses scandal involving local politicians and

municipalities

158

. A series of events took place aimed at newly elected members of the

Municipal Councils, Ethics Commissions, and newly elected mayors to create an anti-

corruption environment in the municipality

159

The whistleblowing framework is functioning well and the authorities aim at further

strengthening the current rules.

The protection of whistleblowers, their rights and possible

legal remedies are laid down in the Law on the Protection of Whistleblowers

160

. Transparency

International called on public and private sector institutions to effectively safeguard the

confidentiality of whistleblowers and encourage them to report wrongdoing

161

. Based on the

evaluation of the implementation of the Whistleblowers Protection Law for the period 2019

to 2023, the Prosecutor General’s Office recommended amendments to consider increasing

the level of fines for breaches of confidentiality and other violations of the whistleblowers

protection legislation. Also, it was recommended to consider the possibility of amending laws

regulating court proceedings and ensuring that cases of retaliation against the reporting

person be resolved urgently. The healthcare sector remains a priority in terms of

154

155

156

157

158

159

160

161

In 2023, 60 persons, including 41 legal persons, were included in the list of lobbyists, bringing the total

number of lobbyists to 348. Overall, 635 declarations were submitted on SKAIDRIS. COEC Annual Activity

Report 2023, p. 9.

Analysis of lobbying activity data conducted by Transparency International Lithuania. This review provides

data on lobbying activities, based on Transparency International Lithuania inquiries to the Chief Official

Ethics Commission. Transparency International, ‘Shining a light on lobbying in Lithuania data, risks and

regulations, 2023. Transparency International, ‘Lobbyists report lobbying activities more frequently than

politicians and civil servants’, 21 November 2023.

Transparency International, ‘Lobbyists report lobbying activities more frequently than politicians and civil

servants’, 21 November 2023.

Information received from Transparency International in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

LRT, ‘Officers to start questioning suspects following politicians' expenses scandal’, 1 August 2023.

In order to ensure greater transparency of procedures and to foster the anti-corruption environment the series

of events ‘The importance of creating a corruption-resistant environment in self-government’ was organised.

Special Investigation Service, ‘A series of STT events: creating a corruption-resistant environment in self-

government’, 16 June 2023. Special Investigation Service, ‘The cycle of STT events continues: creating a

corruption-resistant environment in self-government’, 25 September 2023.

Law on the protection of whistleblowers No XIII-804 of 28 November 2017.

Transparency International, ‘The protection of whistleblowers receives insufficient attention’, 28 September

2023. The Prosecutor General's Office and the Ministry of Justice aim at further strengthening the protection

of whistleblowers and encouraging the reporting of corruption in Lithuania, which is expected to be carried

out through an assessment of the practical application of the legislative framework, providing

methodological assistance to public and private sector entities and encouraging individuals to report

corruption cases with the use of social media presentations and events. The measure is to be implemented by

2025. Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 36.

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whistleblowing, despite a decrease in numbers of reports

162

. According to the data of the

Special Investigation Service

for 2023, the Prosecutor General Office granted a status of

whistleblowers to five persons, who provided information to the

Special Investigation Service

about alleged acts of corruption (in comparison to nine persons in 2022), while information

and advice about the application of the rules in place was provided through the hotline by the

Prosecutor General’s Office to 259 persons (in comparison to 286 persons in 2022)

163

. Out of

the 76 reports received (in comparison with 53 reports in 2022), seven reports were not

forwarded for investigation as the provided information had already been examined

164

. In

2023, the Prosecutor General's Office recognised 41 persons as whistleblowers (in

comparison to 31 persons in 2022). In parallel, training

165

and awareness raising

166

activities

were carried out.

Efforts continue to address the high-risk areas for corruption, including public

procurement.

The Flash Eurobarometer on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the

EU shows that 34% of companies in MS (EU average 27%) think that corruption has

prevented them from winning a public tender or a public procurement contract in practice in

the last three years

167

. Public procurement, healthcare, local government, environmental

protection, territorial planning and construction supervision remain high-risk areas for

corruption in Lithuania

168

. Specific measures in this regard are being carried out, according to

objectives under both the implementation plan 2023-2025 of the National Anti-Corruption

162

163

164

165

166

167

168

Information received from the Prosecutor General’s Office in the context of the country visit in Lithuania.

Two training sessions were conducted in 2023, catering to personnel from hospital and consultation settings,

with a total attendance exceeding 350 individuals. In July 2023, the Minister of Health issued an order

approving the action plan for preventing corruption within the healthcare system for the years 2023-2025.

The core component of this plan involves fostering an understanding of whistleblower protection

mechanisms among employees, with the objective of reshaping institutional attitudes towards

whistleblowers. This entails organising various educational events, including trainings, seminars,

discussions, and other initiatives to disseminate best practices and cultivate a supportive environment for

whistleblowers. Furthermore, the General Prosecutor's Office plans to conduct an analysis in 2024 of how

internal channels are implemented in healthcare institutions and compile a list of employees responsible for

the operation of internal channels. Information received from the Prosecutor General’s Office in the context

of the country visit to Lithuania.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 36.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 37. In 2023, 5 per cent of all received reports (4

out of 76), were related to public procurement. Information received from the Prosecutor General’s Office in

the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

Specialised training sessions were organised for institutions, professionals and internal channels involved in

the whistleblowing process. These sessions aimed to enhance their understanding of the procedures and

responsibilities associated with reporting and addressing corruption and other issues. Input from Lithuania

for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 37.

As part of the awareness program at the end of September 2023, a website for whistleblowers

www.pranesktiesa.lt has been launched. The page provides explanations about the protection granted to

whistleblowers and reporting channels, includes all relevant legal acts, forms for reporting violations, and

contact information for whistleblower consultation lines. Additionally, real-life examples, cases of

whistleblower protection, encouragement, and assistance measures are available. The website also features

current news related to the whistleblower institute and an events calendar. Input from Lithuania for the 2024

Rule of Law Report, p. 33.

Flash Eurobarometer 543 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024). This is 7 percentage

points above the EU average.

Lithuanian Corruption Map 2022/2023; Information received from the Special Investigation Service and

Prosecutor General’s Office in the context of the country visit in Lithuania.

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Agenda

169

, and the Recovery and Resilience Plan

170

. While numerous activities are well on

track, the launch of the new e-procurement

system ‘SAULE’

171

, which was anticipated to

start operating in 2023, is expected to be delayed for a few years

172

. In 2023, the Public

Procurement Office implemented the project ‘Increasing the number of suppliers into

public

procurements’ focusing on training for suppliers strengthening their competences

173

. In 2023,

anti-corruption intelligence inspections on public procurement procedures were carried out by

individual municipalities

174

. In parallel, the Special Investigation Service carried out similar

inspections in the areas of state supervision of construction and territorial planning,

distribution of support from European Structural Funds, National Defence, Social Security

and Labour, Communications, Energy in order to identify and assess possible conflicts of

interests and corruption risks

175

. The healthcare system is the only sector showing high levels

of both corruption perception and experience

176

III.

EDIA

LURALISM AND

EDIA

REEDOM

In Lithuania, the legal framework concerning media pluralism and media freedom is based on

constitutional safeguards and sectorial legislation. The Constitution prohibits censorship and

monopolisation of the media and guarantees the right to freedom of expression and

information. The Law on the Provision of Information to the Public is the main media law.

Access to information held by public authorities is regulated by the Law on the Right to

Obtain Information and Data Reuse. The institutional framework consists of the Lithuanian

Radio and Television Commission (LRTK), the Office of the Inspector of Journalist Ethics

and the Public Information Ethics Association

177

169

170

171

172

173

174

175

176

177

The Plan for implementation of National Anti-Corruption Agenda in the period of 2023-2025 (Order No 324

of 3 May 2023) foresees an analysis of the practice of application of the institute of unreliable suppliers and

factors potentially reducing the effectiveness of the application of this institute. The Plan also foresees nine

measures in the field of health protection, seven measures to reduce risk of corruption in environmental

protection, four measures to reduce risk of corruption in territorial planning and construction supervision.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 39-41.

The objective of measure F.3.1 (Improving centralised public procurement) is to make the public

procurement system in Lithuania more efficient and increase participation in public procurement tenders by

centralising public procurement via the Central Purchasing Organisation. This measure foresees two actions:

i) to expand the catalogues of items that can be purchased via the Central Purchasing Organisation and ii) to

adopt a plan for centralisation of public procurement of health institutions and agencies. The measure has a

final expected date of implementation in Q4 2025. Annex to the Council Implementing Decision of 27

October 2023 amending Implementing Decision of 20 July 2021 on the approval of the assessment of the

recovery and resilience plan for Lithuania, p. 138.

Objectives for the new e-procurement system remain the same: it should have technical features allowing for

easier accumulation, handling and analysis of public procurement data throughout the procurement process

(‘once-only’ principle, automated solutions for data gathering, publication of the data according to the

obligations set in Public Procurement Law, integrations with state registers (including integration with

PINREG), open data format for user friendliness and easier data analysis, etc.). Input from Lithuania for the

2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 42.

Information received from the Public Procurement Office in the context of the country visit in Lithuania.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 42.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 39.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 40.

Lithuanian Map of Corruption 2022/2023, Special Investigation Service.

Lithuania ranks 13

in the 2024 Reporters without Borders World Press Freedom Index compared to 7th in

the previous year.

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The regulator for audiovisual media services continues to be sufficiently funded, also in

the light of its new competences.

As of 1 July 2023, the LRTK is responsible for the

enforcement of copyright law

178

and the calculation of the annual fee due by media service

providers (which forms the second pillar of the LRTK’s funding)

179

. In light of these new

competences, the funding and the staff resources of the LRTK are assessed as sufficient

180

The LRTK continued to implement the prohibition of the retransmission or internet

distribution of TV and radio channels and programmes that can be linked to Russia or

Belarus, except when authorised by the LRTK

181

. In 2022, it had already issued fines for two

media service providers for the retransmission of prohibited programmes and blocked 130

websites that provided services without having them notified to the LRTK

182

. In addition, in

2023, the LRTK started to issue orders against internet access providers to block IP addresses

of websites that distributed prohibited programmes, with the result of almost 300 being

blocked

183

. The Media Pluralism Monitor (MPM 2024) reports a continuously low risk for

the independence and effectiveness of the media authority

184

The broadened composition of the media self-regulatory body has been predominantly

met with positive reactions.

The 2023 amendment

185

to include representatives of the public

service media provider (LRT) in the media self-regulatory body, namely the Public

Information Ethics Commission, has been widely welcomed

186

. As regards the inclusion of

members of the Media Council that have been nominated by universities offering a

programme of journalism studies

187

, the Ethics Commission and the LRT have welcomed it,

while the Lithuanian Journalists’ Union expressed some reservations

188

Transparency of media ownership is further promoted by linking it to access to the new

Media Support Fund which announced the first recipients in April 2024.

As reported in

2023, a public information system, called ‘VIRSIS’, provides data on media owners and

amounts of funds obtained from public bodies

189

. Public authorities are under an obligation to

178

179

This activity is financed by the blank tape levy.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 43; Information received from the LRTK in the

context of the country visit to Lithuania.

180

Information received from the LRTK in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

181

See for the adoption of this prohibition 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law

situation in Lithuania, p. 17. The authorisation is subject to the discretion of the LRTK.

182

Information received from the LRTK in the context of the country visit to Lithuania. See also LRTK, 2022

Annual Report, pp. 3-4, and 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in

Lithuania, p. 17.

183

Information received from the LRTK in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

184

2024 Media Pluralism Monitor, country report for Lithuania, p. 12.

185

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 18.

186

Information received from the Public Information Ethics Commission, the Lithuanian Journalists’ Union and

the public service media provider LRT in the context of the country visit to Lithuania; Contribution from

Liberties Europe for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 15.

187

The Media Council is an advisory body of the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture. As regards the potential

nominees, information received from LRT in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

188

Information received from the Public Information Ethics Commission and the LRT (see also contribution

from Liberties Europe for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 15) and from the Lithuanian Journalists’ Union in

the context of the country visit to Lithuania. The latter based its reservations on the consideration that the

new members of the Media Council would not be as familiar with the relevant topics as the other members.

189

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 18.

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submit data twice a year in VIRSIS on the public funds to media service providers

190

. They

are also obliged to publish information about state advertising on their websites

191

. Some

limitations exist however, as the current legal regime does not address the ownership via

proxies, which has become an issue at least in one Lithuanian region

192

. According to the

MPM 2024, media ownership transparency is at low risk

193

. While news media concentration

is very high, Lithuanian law does not provide for specific rules on market concentration in the

media sector

194

. The new Media Support Fund

195

which was established in September 2023

and announced the first recipients of funding in April 2024

196

got a budget of EUR 6.5

million, amounting to almost double than originally planned, following interventions from

the sector

197

, but there was concern that the fund would come too late for some outlets

198

Access to funding is conditional on meeting the obligation to provide ownership data to

VIRSIS

199

The public service broadcaster continues to operate independently.

The election of the

new Director-General of the public service media provider LRT underwent delays and took

place half a year later than expected, in October 2023, after the first two attempts resulted in a

split vote

200

. The procedures which led to those delays have been amended by a law adopted

in June 2024 and will enter into force in September 2024, aiming at the prevention of such a

situation

201

. While Lithuanian law already prohibits members of Parliament or the

Government to serve on the supervising council of LRT, the new law extends this

190

191

192

193

194

195

196

197

198

199

200

201

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 43; information received from the Ministry of

Culture in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

Written contribution from the Lithuanian Government in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

In this region there are two local newspapers which are

de facto

controlled by the same person without this

having to be reported to VIRSIS; input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 44-45.

Stakeholders raised concerns regarding the issue of local newspapers being controlled by local politicians

(even if this might be transparent to the public), including the case of two regions in Lithuania where

politicians controlled the media (information received from the Lithuanian Journalists’ Union and the

Freedom House in the context of the country visit to Lithuania).

2024 Media Pluralism Monitor, country report for Lithuania, p. 14.

See already 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 18.

Media Support Fund (2024), Funding for cultural periodical press and regional media activities is

announced.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 44.

Information received from the Lithuanian Journalists’ Union in the context of the country visit to Lithuania,

that referred to a high-quality magazine that declared bankruptcy in the beginning of February. See also

Delfi, ‘Cultural media left without funding’, 24 January 2024.

Information received from the Ministry of Culture in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 43. 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on

the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 19.

Law no. XIV-2695 of 6 June 2024. The law provides for the Chair of the LRT Council having a casting vote

in case of a vote that is split among the Council’s 12 members; currently, however, the Council’s rules of

procedure provide for elections by secret ballot, meaning that the vote of the Chair cannot be identified and

rendering impossible the law’s solution. The new law provides for an election by open ballot.

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prohibition, among others, to members of local councils

202

. According to the MPM 2024,

‘independence of public service media’ is at very low risk

203

The situation regarding access to documents is better with the guidelines for public

authorities although their implementation by public authorities at all levels of

government can still be improved.

The guidelines for the reconciliation of personal data

protection requirements and freedom of expression and information published by the Office

of the Inspector of Journalist Ethics in February 2023

204

have been welcomed by

journalists

205

. Stakeholders report that the guidelines are not yet implemented in practice by

authorities at all levels of government, and not all journalists are aware of them

206

; the Office

of the Inspector of Journalist Ethics plans to further promote them

207

. According to

stakeholders, public authorities at lower levels of government tend to show reluctance to

provide information, citing data protection reasons

208

. The appeals procedure has been

criticised as being rather complex and lengthy

209

. In June 2024 the Government proposed to

permit journalists access to a register of members of political organisations (that is scheduled

to be operational as of July 2025) which would allow them to gain knowledge about current

and historical data concerning these members and to thus contribute to the fight on

corruption; the proposal will be submitted to Parliament

210

The Government has adopted an action plan for the safety of journalists and continues

to strengthen their protection against abusive lawsuits.

Since the publication of the 2023

Rule of Law Report, two new alerts have been published regarding Lithuania on the Council

of Europe’s Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists and on

the Mapping Media Freedom platform; one is about the use of spyware against exiled

Russian and Belarusian journalists living in Lithuania, committed by unknown

202

203

204

205

206

207

208

209

210

The new law further excludes Members of the European Parliament, of the Public Information Ethics

Commission and the Inspector of Journalist Ethics from serving on the Supervisory Council of the LRT;

written contribution from the Lithuanian Government in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

2024 Media Pluralism Monitor, country report for Lithuania, p. 17. According to the European Parliament’s

Flash Eurobarometer: News & Media Survey 2023, p. 44, 54% of the population of Lithuania trust public

TV and radio stations (incl. online), which is above the EU average of 48%.

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 19.

Information received from the Lithuanian Journalists’ Union, the LRT and the Office of the Inspector of

Journalist Ethics in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

Information received from the Office of the Inspector of Journalist Ethics and from LRT in the context of the

country visit to Lithuania. LRT attributes the lack of knowledge of journalists to allegedly missing efforts of

the Office of Inspector of Journalist Ethics to distribute the guidelines among journalists.

Information received from the Office of the Inspector of Journalist Ethics in the context of the country visit

to Lithuania.

Information received in the context of the country visit to Lithuania: according to the Office of the Inspector

of Journalist Ethics public authorities would not be ‘keen’ to provide information and would use the GDPR

as a ‘tool’ in that context. Freedom House also said the culture to talk to journalists could be better. The

Ministry of Culture has acknowledged this situation. According to the Lithuanian Journalists’ Union the

issue is limited to public authorities at lower levels of government.

The study ‘Disputes over Access’ (2023) by Balticada Investigations Studies, which looks at the situation

regarding access to documents in the three Baltic states, concludes that in Lithuania, ‘the combination of

multiple normative privileges and a multifaceted [freedom of information] appeal mechanism results in a

complex web of norms that journalists find hard to understand’, p. 9. The Office of the Inspector of

Journalist Ethics does not consider the mechanism to be complex, but to consume time and resources,

information received in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

LRT (2024), Government for the right of journalists to receive free of charge the data of members of

political organisations.

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perpetrators

211

. In September 2023 the Ministry of Culture adopted an action plan for the

protection, safety and empowerment of journalists that envisages various actions to be

implemented by different public authorities until 2025, such as training for law enforcement

authorities and journalists, informing journalists on draft legislation and providing

unemployment insurance coverage to self-employed journalists

212

. So far, the actions have

been implemented as planned, with stakeholders describing the situation regarding the safety

of journalists (and notably the cooperation between journalists and the law enforcement

authorities) to be good

213

. LRT would like the Government to provide guidance on how to

ensure the operation of LRT and the safety of its staff in the event of a war or other major

crisis

214

. Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPs) have been described as a

minor occurrence in the country, although the identification of a lawsuit to be a SLAPP has

been reported to be a relevant issue due to lack of knowledge about these types of lawsuits

215

Following the legislative amendments introduced in 2022

216

, a further legislative amendment

entered into force on 1 January 2024 which makes it possible for SLAPP targets to receive

state-guaranteed legal aid in SLAPP cases without the assessment of the defendant’s assets

and income

217

IV.

THER

NSTITUTIONAL

SSUES RELATED TO

HECKS AND

ALANCES

Lithuania is a representative democratic republic with a directly elected President and a

unicameral Parliament (Seimas). The Constitutional Court is in charge of constitutional

review of laws and other legislation enacted by Parliament and of acts of the President and

the Government (ex post control). The Parliament, the President, the Government, and a

group of at least 50 000 citizens of the Republic of Lithuania with the right to vote have the

right of legislative initiative, and a group of at least 300 000 citizens of the Republic of

Lithuania with the right to vote have the right of initiative to change the Constitution and call

a referendum

218

. Citizens and foreigners permanently residing in Lithuania, aged 16 and over,

also have the right to petition the state or municipal authorities for the adoption of a

normative legal act of public interest

219

. The Parliamentary Ombudspersons are the National

Human Rights Institution and are tasked with protecting and promoting human rights and

fundamental freedoms. The Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson is the equality

body.

211

212

213

214

215

216

217

218

219

Council of Europe, Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists, Latvia (the

alert has been published in the country profile of Latvia only due to other affected journalists that live in

Latvia; the country profile of Lithuania does not include any new alert); European Centre for Press and

Media Freedom, Mapping Media Freedom, Lithuania country profile. The other alert (on both platforms) is

about an amendment introduced in Parliament which, according to LRT, would threaten the funding model

of the public broadcaster if adopted.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 45.

Information received from the Ministry of Culture and the Lithuanian Journalists’ Union in the context of the

country visit to Lithuania.

Information received from the LRT in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

Information received from the Office of the Inspector of Journalist Ethics in the context of the country visit

to Lithuania.

See 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 20.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 45-46.

The Constitutional Law on Citizens' Legislative Initiative of the Republic of Lithuania, drafted by the

Ministry of Justice, should enter into force on 1 September 2024.

The Constitutional Law on Petitions of the Republic of Lithuania, drafted by the Ministry of Justice, entered

into force on 1 July 2023.

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The Ministry of Justice has developed new rules to improve the quality of legislation.

The Legislative Methodological Recommendations

220

and Recommendations for

Codification

221

mentioned in the 2023 Rule of Law Report

222

, were published on 16

November 2023, after consultation with other ministries and with the Government

chancellery. The Recommendations aim to ensure the quality and sustainability of

legislation

223

, as well as to determine the general systematic codification of legal acts, while

increasing their comprehensibility and accessibility

224

. In addition, the rules for coordination

in the development of normative legal acts by ministers, Government institutions, and other

subjects of public administration subordinate and accountable to the Government the aim of

which is to ensure uniform legislative and public consultation rules were developed by the

Ministry of Justice and adopted by the Government on 3 May 2024

225

The Judicial Council is preparing a proposal to amend the Constitution in order to be

granted the right of constitutional appeal regarding legislation affecting the judiciary.

The document ‘Vision of the development of Lithuanian courts for the years 2023-2033’,

adopted by the Judicial Council in 2022

226

, includes the proposal for the establishment of the

right of the Judicial Council to appeal to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of

Lithuania by amending Article 106 of the Constitution

227

. Such an amendment would provide

the Judicial Council with the right to apply to the Constitutional Court in cases where it is

considered that the independence of the judiciary is threatened

228

. A draft concept note of the

Judicial Council’s right to constitutional appeal has been prepared

229

, and will be submitted to

the Judicial Council’s Plenum for approval, after which the National Courts Administration

will draft the proposed constitutional amendment

230

. The Judicial Council plans to obtain the

amendment adopted by 2028

231

The Constitutional Court was called to clarify the principle of separation of powers.

In a

ruling of 26 April 2023

232

, the Constitutional Court clarified the separation between the

legislative and executive powers. This concerned the possibility to regulate through

implementing regulation cases which, according to the Constitution, must be regulated

through laws

233

. In this case, it was considered that Parliament disregarded the prohibition,

220

221

222

223

224

225

226

227

228

229

230

231

232

233

Ministry of Justice, ‘Legislative methodological recommendations’.

Ministry of Justice, ‘Recommendations for Codification’.

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 20.

In Lithuania, 27% of the surveyed companies perceive the frequent changes in legislation or concerns about

quality of law-making process as a reason for the lack of confidence in investment protection. Figure 56,

2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 50-51.

Available at: https://www.teismai.lt/data/public/uploads/2023/02/eng-taisytas-1.pdf.

Which enshrines the right to constitutional appeal of the President of the Republic, Parliament, Government

and individuals.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 13; Contribution from European Network of

Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ) for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 11-12.

Contribution from European Network of Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ) for the 2024 Rule of Law

Report, pp. 11-12.

Information received from the Judicial Council and National Courts Administration in the context of the

country visit to Lithuania.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 13; Contribution from European Network of

Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ) for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 11-12.

Constitutional Court, judgment of 26 April 2023, No. KT40-N4/2023, case No. 7/2022.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 50.

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arising from the constitutional principle of the rule of law, of entrusting the Government with

the implementation of a competence entrusted to Parliament by the Constitution. The ruling

was swiftly implemented by Parliament, which revised and amended the contested legal

regulation

234

On 1 January 2024, Lithuania had 22 leading judgments of the European Court of

Human Rights pending implementation, an increase of three compared to the previous

year

235

At that time, Lithuania’s rate of leading judgments from the past 10 years that remain

pending was at 34% (compared to 31% in 2023), the average time that the judgments have

been pending implementation was almost 3 year and 8 months (compared to 3 years and 4

months in 2023)

236

. The oldest leading judgment, pending implementation for 16 years,

concerns the lack of legislation governing the conditions and procedures relating to gender

reassignment

237

. As regards the respect of payment deadlines, on 31 December 2023 there

were no cases in total awaiting confirmation of payments (in 2022 compensations were also

paid within the deadline)

238

. On 1 July 2024, the number of leading judgments pending

implementation had remained 22

239

. Following the European Court of Human Rights decision

Macatė v Lithuania

240

, the Ministry of Justice prepared a draft law aiming at executing the

judgment

241

, which was however rejected by Parliament in November 2023. Following that,

the Government submitted an application to the Constitutional Court

242

, which was admitted

on 22 February 2024

243

Education Law No. I-1489 – Amendment of articles 28, 37, 42, 43, 44, 66 and 67, of 26 September 2023.

The adoption of necessary execution measures for a judgment by the European Court of Human Rights is

supervised by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. It is the Committee’s practice to group

cases against a State requiring similar execution measures, particularly general measures, and examine them

jointly. The first case in the group is designated as the leading case as regards the supervision of the general

measures and repetitive cases within the group can be closed when it is assessed that all possible individual

measures needed to provide redress to the applicant have been taken.

All figures are calculated by the European Implementation Network and are based on the number of cases

that are considered pending at the annual cut-off date of 1 January 2024. See the Contribution from the

European Implementation Network for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 5-6.

Judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 11 September 2007,

L. v. Lithuania,

27527/03, pending

implementation since 2008.

In 2022, in one specific case, additional corrections to the payment of compensation were made after the

deadline. Council of Europe (2024), Supervision of the execution of judgments decisions of the European

Court of Human Rights – 17

Annual Report of the Committee of Ministers – 2023, p. 137.

Data according to the online database of the Council of Europe (HUDOC).

European Court of Human Rights, judgment of 23 January 2023,

Macatė v Lithuania,

case no. 61435/19.

The Court found the State measures imposed on the applicant’s children’s book containing storylines about

same-sex marriage (temporary suspension of the distribution of the book and further marking with a warning

label stating that its contents could be harmful to children under the age of 14) in application of Art. 4 of the

Law on the Protection of Minors against Negative Effects of Public Information to be in violation of Article

10 ECHR.

Updated Action Plan (09/11/2023) – Communication from Lithuania concerning the case of

Macatė v.

Lithuania

(Application No. 61435/19).

The Government asks whether Paragraph 16 of Part 2 of Art. 4 of the Law on the Protection of Minors

against Negative Effects of Public Information is in line with Parts 1 and 2 of Art. 25 (freedom of

expression), Art. 29 (principle of equality), Parts 1 and 2 of Art. 38 (protection of the family), and part 3 of

Art. 138 (International treaties ratified by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania shall be a constituent part

of the legal system of the Republic of Lithuania) of the Constitution, as well as with the constitutional

principle of the rule of law.

Information received from the Constitutional Court in the context of the country visit to Lithuania. The

Government considers nevertheless, even if the amendments to the Minors Protection Act were not adopted,

234

235

236

237

238

239

240

241

242

243

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There has been significant progress in providing adequate human and financial

resources for the Parliamentary Ombudspersons.

The 2023 Rule of Law Report

recommended to Lithuania to ‘[p]rovide adequate human and financial resources for the

functioning of the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudspersons, taking into account European

standards on resources for Ombudsinstitutions and the UN Paris Principles’

244

. In 2023, in the

context of the discussions of the 2024 state budget, additional EUR 64 000 were allocated to

finance two vacant posts in the Human Rights Division

245

for the year 2024. In addition, in

the context of the reform of the civil service

246

, the remuneration of the Parliamentary

Ombudspersons was increased

247

. The Office of the Parliamentary Ombudspersons is

accredited with ‘A’ status by the UN Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions

(GANHRI)

248

, and the Office reports that the increase in the allocated resources will be

instrumental to ensure the reaccreditation

249

. While this has been considered a positive

development, the Office continues to raise concerns regarding its adequacy to fulfil its

extensive mandate

250

, in particular in the light of the possible attribution of new tasks

currently under discussion. Moreover, the Office reported that the reform which abrogated

some of its prerogatives in the recruitment process, could impact the capacity of newly

recruited staff to exercise functions requiring legal analysis

251

. Overall, there has been

significant progress on the recommendation made in the previous years.

244

245

246

247

248

249

250

251

that, based on the current practice, there is no possibility for the contested provision which is still in place to

be applied in violation of Article 10 ECHR (Information received from the Lithuanian Government in the

context of the country visit to Lithuania. See also Updated Action Plan (09/11/2023) – Communication from

Lithuania concerning the case of

Macate v. Lithuania

(Application No. 61435/19).

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 2. The 2022 Rule of

Law Report had also recommended to Lithuania to ‘[p]rovide adequate human and financial resources for

the functioning of the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudspersons, taking into account European standards

on resources for Ombudsinstitutions and the UN Paris Principles’ (2022 Rule of Law Report, Country

Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 2. In 2023 the Commission concluded that ‘no progress’

had been made on the recommendation addressed in the 2022 Rule of Law Report.

Law on the Approval of Financial Indicators of the State Budget and Municipal Budgets of the Republic of

Lithuania for 2024. See also contribution from the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions

(ENNHRI) for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 346-347.

Law amending the Law on Remuneration of State Politicians and State Officials No VIII-1904 (TAR, 25

May 2023, No. 11591), adopted on 25 May 2023.

Information received from the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudpersons in the context of the country visit

to Lithuania; Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 61. See also contribution from the

European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p.

346.

Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA)

(2017), Accreditation Report – March 2017.

Information received from the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudpersons in the context of the country visit

to Lithuania. The periodic accreditation of the Lithuanian NHRI was considered by the SCA between March

and May 2024 (see also contribution from the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions

(ENNHRI) for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 50).

Which includes the investigation of complaints from individuals against the activities (inaction) of officials

of state and municipal authorities, national prevention of torture and national human rights institution. The

Human Rights Division of the Office counts with five staff members who, however, do not practice

exclusively in specific areas of expertise (Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 62).

In line with the new rules applicable, the Office of the Ombudsperson no longer has the prerogative to

determine the academic requirements for the fulfilment of vacancies. Information received from the Office

of the Parliamentary Ombudpersons in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

kom (2024) 0800 - Ingen titel

Stakeholders have reported concerns regarding the effective participation of civil

society in decision-making processes.

The civic space continues to be considered open

252

Civil society organisations (CSOs) continue to be actively involved in decision-making and

implementation regarding the support to refugees from Ukraine and in crisis management, as

also reported in the 2023 Rule of Law Report

253

, and working groups are being created in this

context

254

. While the National NGO council continues to operate under the Prime Minister’s

office, in addition to municipal NGO councils

255

, stakeholders reported some challenges

regarding their participation in decision making

256

, and raised concerns that public

participation is broadly seen as

pro-forma

257

. According to CSOs

258

, ‘SKAIDRIS’, the lobby

259

. Concerns have

also been raised regarding the fact that NGOs’ right to access to information is narrowly

defined, requiring direct interest, which limits their capacity to meaningfully participate in the

decision-making process and exercise their role as watchdogs

260

, thus impacting their work in

concrete areas

261

. The National NGO fund continues to finance programmes to support

capacity building

262

, although stakeholders continue to raise concerns about the limited

availability of funds, which have remained unchanged for several years

263

252

253

254

255

256

257

258

259

260

261

262

263

Rating by CIVICUS; ratings are on a five-category scale defined as: open, narrowed, obstructed, repressed

and closed.

2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Lithuania, p. 23.

Information received from the NGO Coalition in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 60.

Information received from the NGO Coalition in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

Information received from the Human Rights Monitoring Institute in the context of the country visit to

Lithuania.

Parliament of Lithuania, Public discussion at the Parliament of Lithuania, official recording, Atviras Seimas

- ‘Discussion “Transparency of politics: how to ensure open decision-making”?’, 21 November 2023.

Only 11% of the population, 10% of company managers and 20% of civil servants think that the decision-

making in Lithuania is an open process. Civil servants and company managers consider that the

pharmaceutical, healthcare and energy sectors are the most influential. The most frequently mentioned forms

of influence remain the same as in 2021: informal meetings and proposals, use of acquaintances, support for

political campaigns or parties, and the promise of financial rewards for a favourable decision. Special

Investigation Service, ‘Lithuanian Map of Corruption, 2022/2023’.

Information received from the NGO Coalition and Human Rights Monitoring Institute in the context of the

country visit to Lithuania. See also contribution from Liberties Europe for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp.

15-16.

Contribution from Human Rights Monitoring Institute for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 22.

Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 66.

Information received from the NGO Coalition in the context of the country visit to Lithuania.

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Annex I: List of sources in alphabetical order*

* The list of contributions received in the context of the consultation for the 2024 Rule of Law report

can be found at

https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2024-rule-law-report-targeted-

stakeholder-consultation_en.

Balticada Investigations Studies (2023), Disputes over Access – A Study on Journalists’ Practices and

Freedom of Information Policies in the Baltics,

https://disputesoveraccess.eu/wp-

content/uploads/2024/02/Disputes_over_Access_2023.pdf

Baltics News (2023), ‘VTEK: Norkūnas did not avoid a conflict of interest regarding decisions in

“Ignitis Group”’,

VTEK: Norkūnas did not avoid a conflict of interest regarding decisions in "Ignitis

Group" – Baltics News.

Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (2024), European University Institute, Media

Pluralism Monitor 2024, Country report for Lithuania.

Chief Official Ethics Commission (COEC) website:

Who We Are - Chief Official Ethics Commission

(vtek.lt).

Civicus, Monitor tracking civic space – Lithuania,

https://monitor.civicus.org/country/lithuania/.

COEC (2021), Annual Activity Report 2021.

COEC (2023), Annual Activity Report 2023.

Constitutional Court, judgment of 26 April 2023, No. KT40-N4/2023, case No. 7/2022.

Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (2024), Contribution from the Council of Bars and Law

Societies of Europe (CCBE) for the 2024 Rule of Law Report.

Council of Europe: Committee of Ministers (2000), Recommendation No. R(2000)21 of the

Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the freedom of exercise of the profession of

lawyer.

Council of Europe: Committee of Ministers (2010), Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 of the

Committee of Ministers to member states on judges: independence, efficiency and responsibilities.

Council of Europe: Committee of Ministers (2023), Supervision of the execution of judgments

decisions of the European Court of Human Rights – 17

Annual Report of the Committee of

Ministers – 2023, p. 137.

Council of Europe: Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (2023), Opinion of the CCPE

Bureau following a letter of the Prosecutor General of Lithuania concerning legislative developments

resulting in a disproportionately large gap in the remuneration of prosecutors and judges.

Council of Europe: Venice Commission (2010), Report on European standards as regards the

Independence of the Judicial System, Part II: The Prosecution Service (CDL-AD(2010)040).

Council of Europe, Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists –

Lithuania,

https://fom.coe.int/en/pays/detail/11709544.

Council of the European Union (2023), Annex to the Council Implementing Decision of 27 October

2023 amending Implementing Decision of 20 July 2021 on the approval of the assessment of the

recovery and resilience plan for Lithuania.

Court of Justice of the European Union, judgment of 27 February 2018, Case C-64/16, Associação

Sindical dos Juízes Portugueses, ECLI:EU:C:2018:117.

Court of Justice of the European Union, judgment of 20 April 2021, Repubblika v Il-Prim Ministru,

C-896/19, ECLI:EU:C:2021:311, para. 57.

Delfi (2024), ‘The Media Support Fund reacted to the passions for cultural media left without

funding: it would be counterproductive and foolish to look for the guilty’,

kom (2024) 0800 - Ingen titel

https://www.delfi.lt/m360/naujausi-straipsniai/i-aistras-del-be-finansavimo-likusios-kulturines-

ziniasklaidos-sureagavo-mediju-remimo-fondas-ieskoti-kaltu-butu-neproduktyvu-ir-kvaila-95698073.

Diena (2024), ‘Presidency: the number of acquittals in cases investigated by the STT is difficult to

explain’,

The Presidency: The number of acquittals in the cases investigated by the STT is difficult to

explain | Diena.lt.

EPPO (2024), Annual Report 2023.

European Association of judges (2024), ‘European association of judges statement on the purported

prosecution of Lithuanian judges by Russian authorities’.

European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, Mapping Media Freedom, Lithuania country profile,

https://www.mappingmediafreedom.org/.

European Commission (2019), Flash Eurobarometer 482.

European Commission (2022), 2022 EU Justice Scoreboard.

European Commission (2022), 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation

in Lithuania.

European Commission (2023), 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation

in Lithuania.

European Commission (2023), Special Eurobarometer on Corruption.

European Commission (2023), Flash Eurobarometer 507 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption

in the EU.

European Commission (2024), EU Justice Scoreboard.

European Commission (2024), Letter from the Vice-President Jourová to the Judicial Council, of 25

January 2024.

European Court of Human Rights, judgment of 11 September 2007,

L. v. Lithuania,

27527/03.

European Court of Human Rights, judgment of 23 January 2023,

Macatė v Lithuania,

case no.

61435/19.

European Implementation Network (2024), Contribution from the European Implementation Network

for the 2024 Rule of Law Report.

European Network of Councils for the Judiciary (2024), Contribution from the European Network of

Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ) for the 2024 Rule of Law Report.

European Parliament (2019), Resolution of 28 November 2019 on recent actions by the Russian

Federation against Lithuanian judges, prosecutors and investigators involved in investigating the

tragic events of 13 January 1991 in Vilnius’ (2019/2938(RSP)).

European Parliament (2023), Flash Eurobarometer, News & Media Survey 2023.

Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), Sub-Committee on Accreditation

(SCA) (2017), Accreditation Report – March 2017.

Human Rights Monitoring Institute (2024), Contribution from Human Rights Monitoring Institute for

the 2024 Rule of Law Report.

Integrity

Academy,

Special

https://skaidrumoakademija.lt/apie/.

Investigation

Service,

official

website,

Judicial Council (2023), Letter from the Judicial Council to the European Commission, of 29 August

2023.

Law on Political campaign finance and finance control, No. IX-2428, 2004,

https://www.e-

tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.CF812DA6E814/asr.

kom (2024) 0800 - Ingen titel

Law on the protection of whistleblowers XIII-804 of 28 November 2017,

https://e-

seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/267de1c2a9b911eb98ccba226c8a14d7?jfwid=-mmidcquki.

Law on the Adjustment of Public and Private

seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.41669/asr.

Interests,

No.

VIII-371,

https://e-

Law No. XIV-471, of 29 June 2021, Amending Law No. IX-904 on the Prevention of Corruption.

Liberties Europe (2024), Contribution from Liberties Europe for the 2024 Rule of Law Report.

Lithuanian Government (2022), Resolution No. XIV-1178, of 28 June 2022.

Lithuanian Government (2023), Updated Action Plan (09/11/2023) – Communication from Lithuania

concerning the case of

Macatė v. Lithuania

(Application No. 61435/19).

Lithuanian Government (2024), Input from Lithuania for the 2024 Rule of Law Report.

Lithuanian

Map

Corruption

2022/2023,

Special

Investigation

Service,

https://www.stt.lt/data/public/uploads/2023/06/d2_tyrimo_pristatymas_lietuvos_korupcijos_zemelapi

s_2022_2023.pdf.

Lrytas (2024), ‘Head of the Judicial Council S. Rudėnaitė on the procedure for appointing judges: the

president cannot put his hand in the bag and pull out the 90th candidate’,

Teisėjų tarybos vadovė S.

Rudėnaitė apie teisėjų skyrimo tvarką: prezidentas negali įkišti ranką į maišą ir ištraukti 90-ą

kandidatą (lrytas.lt).

LRT (2018), The CEC will decide whether there were political advertisements in the Summer of

Naisiai,

https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/219586/vrk-spres-ar-naisiu-vasaroje-buvo-politines-

reklamos.

LRT (2023), Lithuania’s MG Grupė pays €1.1m fine in political corruption case,

Lithuania’s MG

Grupė pays €1.1m fine in political corruption case - LRT.

LRT (2023), Former liberal leader and business tycoon given prison sentences in Lithuania’s MG

Baltic corruption case, ‘Former

liberal leader and business tycoon given prison sentences in

Lithuania’s MG Baltic corruption case – LRT’.

LRT (2023), Officers to start questioning suspects following politicians’ expenses scandal,

Officers to

start questioning suspects following politicians' expenses scandal - LRT.

LRT (2024), Government for the right of journalists to receive free of charge the data of members of

political

organisations,

https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2295386/vyriausybe-uz-teise-

zurnalistams-nemokamai-gauti-politiniu-organizaciju-nariu-duomenis.

LRTK

(2023),

2022

Annual

Report,

https://www.rtk.lt/uploads/documents/files/Annual%20reports/Annual%20Report%202022.pdf.

Media Support Fund (2024), Funding for cultural periodical press and regional media activities is

announced,

https://medijufondas.lrv.lt/lt/naujienos/skelbiamas-kulturos-periodines-spaudos-ir-

regionines-ziniasklaidos-veiklos-finansavimas/.

OECD (2023), Phase 3 evaluation of Lithuania.

Minister of Justice (2023), Order of the Minister of Justice No 1R-327 of 16 October 2023.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2020), ‘Lithuania‘s Permanent Representative asks UN Special

Rapporteur to react to Russia's illegal actions against Lithuanian judges in January 13 case’, 21

December 2020.

Ministry

Justice,

‘Legislative

methodological

recommendations’,

https://tm.lrv.lt/uploads/tm/documents/files/dokumentai/Teis%C4%97k%C5%ABra/Teis%C4%97k%

C5%ABros%20metodin%C4%97s%20rekomendacijos%202023%2009.pdf.

kom (2024) 0800 - Ingen titel

Ministry

Justice,

‘Recommendations

for

Codification’,

https://tm.lrv.lt/uploads/tm/documents/files/dokumentai/Teis%C4%97k%C5%ABra/Rekomendacijos

%20d%C4%97l%20galiojan%C4%8Di%C5%B3%20normini%C5%B3%20teis%C4%97s%20akt%C

5%B3%20kodifikavimo%20ir%20po%C4%AFstatymini%C5%B3%20teis%C4%97s%20akt%C5%B

3%20konsolidavimo%202023%2009.pdf.

Parliament of Lithuania (2023), Public discussion at the Parliament of Lithuania, official recording,

Atviras Seimas, 21 November 2023,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zMY8hVF81Y.

President of the Republic of Lithuania (2023), Presidential veto: The High Commission on Official

Ethics must defend the constitutional principle of the service of government bodies to the people,

https://www.lrp.lt/lt/prezidento-veto-vyriausioji-tarnybines-etikos-komisija-turi-ginti-konstitucini-

valdzios-istaigu-tarnavimo-zmonems-principa/40764.

President of the Republic of Lithuania (2024), The President met with the Director of the Special

Investigation

Service,

https://lrp.lt/lt/prezidentas-susitiko-su-specialiuju-tyrimu-tarnybos-

direktoriumi/42342.

Reporters Without Borders (2023),

2023 World Press Freedom Index.

SKAIDRIS – the platform for lobbying transparency, Chief Official Ethics Commission, official

website,

https://skaidris.vtek.lt/public/.

Special Investigation Service (2021), Cooperation of the Baltic countries in the fight against

corruption and fraud is being strengthened,

https://www.stt.lt/en/news/7481/_2021-2/cooperation-of-

the-baltic-countries-in-the-fight-against-corruption-and-fraud-is-being-strengthened:3055.

Special Investigation Service (2021), Multidisciplinary approach and regional cooperation in tackling

corruption and fraud risk affecting EU affecting EU financial interests under the Hercule III

Programme,

https://stt.lt/data/public/uploads/2023/05/olaf_workshop-8.pdf.

Special Investigation Service (2023), Guidelines for creating an anti-corruption environment for

business,

https://stt.lt/data/public/uploads/2023/04/guidelines-for-business.pdf.

Special Investigation Service (2023), 2023 Activity Report.

Special Investigation Service (2023), The cycle of STT events continues: corruption-resistant

environment in self-government,

https://www.stt.lt/naujienos/7464/tesiamas-stt-renginiu-ciklas-

korupcijai-atsparios-aplinkos-kurimas-savivaldoje:3656.

Special Investigation Service (2024), 2023 Activity Report.

Special Investigation Service (2024), ‘In 2023, the STT received a 30% increase in reports of possible

corruption from individuals’,

In 2023, the STT received a 30% increase in reports of possible

corruption from individuals | STT.

Special Investigation Service (2024), ‘New allegations against four more municipal councillors of

misappropriation of municipal funds’,

New allegations against four more municipal councillors of

misappropriation of municipal funds | STT.

Transparency International Lithuania (2020), ‘Let's agree on what we consider political advertising on

social media’,

https://www.transparency.lt/sutarkime-ka-socialiniuose-tinkluose-laikome-politine-

reklama/.

Transparency International (2023), ‘Shining a light on lobbying in Lithuania data, risks, and

regulations’,

IW3_Country-Report_TI-Lithuania_final.pdf (transparency.lt).

Transparency International (2023), The protection of whistleblowers receives insufficient attention,

The protection of whistleblowers receives insufficient attention - Transparency International Lietuvos

skyrius.

kom (2024) 0800 - Ingen titel

Transparency International (2023), Lobbyists report lobbying activities more frequently than

politicians and civil servants,

Lobbyists report lobbying activities more frequently than politicians and

civil servants - Transparency International Lietuvos skyrius.

Transparency International (2024), 2023 Corruption Perception Index.

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Annex II: Country visit to Lithuania

The Commission services held virtual meetings in January and February 2024 with:

•

Bar Association

COEC

Confederation of Lithuanian Industrialists

Constitutional Court

Freedom House

Human Rights Monitoring Institute

Judicial Council

Lithuanian Journalists Union

Lithuanian Radio and Television

Media Authority – Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania

Ministry of Culture

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Justice

National Courts Administration

National NGO Coalition

Office of the Inspector of Journalist Ethics

Office of the Prosecutor General

Office of the Seimas Ombudspersons

Public Information Ethics Association

Public Procurement Service

Special Investigation Service

Supreme Court

Transparency International Lithuania

* The Commission also met the following organisations in a number of horizontal meetings:

•

Amnesty International EU

Centre for Democracy and Technology Europe

Centre for European Volunteering

Civil Liberties Union for Europe

Civil Rights Defenders

Civil Society Europe

Culture Action Europe

Democracy Reporting International

European Centre for Non-Profit Law

European Civic Forum

European Federation of Journalists

European Partnership for Democracy

European Youth Forum

Free Press Unlimited

International Federation for Human Rights

International Planned Parenthood Federation

kom (2024) 0800 - Ingen titel

•

International Press Institute

Irish Council for Civil Liberties

JEF Europe

Open Society Foundations

Philanthropy Europe Association

PICUM

Reporters Without Borders

SOLIDAR

Transparency International EU