Lithuanian NGOs urge incoming coalition not to reappoint Tamašunienė as justice minister

More than 30 human rights organisations have called on Lithuania’s incoming ruling coalition not to reappoint Rita Tamašunienė as justice minister, accusing her of obstructing court rulings on partnership registration, LRT reports.

The NGOs, in an open letter to coalition negotiators Mindaugas Sinkevičius, Virginijus Sinkevičius and Aurelijus Veryga, argue that Tamašunienė’s ministry has systematically delayed implementing court decisions on same-sex partnerships by filing repeated appeals. They warn her actions undermine the rule of law and erode trust in state institutions.

“The minister’s actions set a dangerous precedent where the Justice Ministry, whose core mission should be strengthening the rule of law, becomes a primary obstacle to enforcing court rulings and constitutional principles,” said Jūratė Juškaitė, director of the Lithuanian Human Rights Centre.

Lithuanian courts have recognised dozens of partnerships, but many rulings remain unenforced or are challenged on appeal. The NGOs argue this violates the Constitutional Court’s 2023 finding that the lack of legal recognition for same-sex partnerships is unconstitutional and discriminatory.

Martynas Norbutas, director of the Lithuanian Youth Centre, stressed that the new government must demonstrate that “court rulings cannot be ignored and must be implemented without delay.”

Lithuania currently allows gender-neutral partnerships to be registered through courts while awaiting a dedicated law, which has been stalled for over two decades.