Birutė Sabatauskaitė reappointed as Lithuania’s equal opportunities controller

Lawyer Birutė Sabatauskaitė has been reappointed for a second term as head of Lithuania’s Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson Service, following a parliamentary vote on Thursday, LRT reports.

In a secret ballot, 64 members of the Seimas (parliament) supported her candidacy, 21 voted against, 12 abstained, and one ballot was spoiled. Sabatauskaitė’s first term as equal opportunities controller ended on 1 April.

Before her initial appointment in 2021, she led the Lithuanian Human Rights Centre. Her first nomination by then-Seimas Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen faced criticism due to perceived conflicts of interest, as her father, Julius Sabatauskas, was a member of the opposition Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP) faction. He recused himself from the debate and vote.

The Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson Service is an independent human rights institution tasked with ensuring equal opportunities in Lithuania. It investigates discrimination cases, advises organisations, and conducts educational and preventive activities.