International Mechanism Submissions

The Advocates for Human Rights submitted a stakeholder report on the issue of domestic violence in Lithuania for the 74th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women on September 30, 2019. Domestic violence remains a widespread problem in Lithuania. In 2014, 31% of women reported having experienced domestic violence, while in 2016, police documented at least 45,000 domestic violence calls. The state has yet to act with the due diligence necessary to investigate and punish violations of rights against women. The state has made progress in legislating against domestic violence, but current legislation often falls short due to failing coordination.

The Committee expressed concern about the implementation of measures to protect women from domestic violence. The State Party ultimately fails because of the gender-neutral scope and the lack of enforcement by the judicial system. The Committee further recommended a shift in scope so the legislation becomes more “gender-sensitive” to effectively protect victims of domestic violence.

The report further recommends that Lithuania pushes to comply to the recommendations and requirements of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, along with ratifying policies that force law enforcement and the judicial system to become more discerning with how they handle cases of domestic violence.