Lithuanian parliament to debate revised Equal Opportunities Law

The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, will debate a revised draft of the Equal Opportunities Law, as reported by LRT.

In a vote this week, 64 MPs supported the proposal, 11 opposed it, and 15 abstained. The revised draft aims to systematically review the regulation of equal opportunities policies, transpose EU directive provisions into national law, and strengthen the independence and powers of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson. It also seeks to ensure more effective protection of the rights of individuals whose equal opportunities have been violated.

The new version introduces an article regulating the implementation of equal opportunities in voluntary activities, intended to improve equal opportunities for volunteers and protect them from discrimination.

The draft law also proposes obligations for public administration bodies, public service providers, sellers, manufacturers, and service providers to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities across the country. State and municipal institutions will be required to guarantee equal opportunities in performing other public administration functions and to support projects, measures, and initiatives that promote equal opportunities.

To ensure equality and non-discriminatory treatment across Lithuania, the draft provides for the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson to defend the public interest in equal opportunities matters in court under the Civil Procedure Code or the Law on Administrative Cases.

Rita Grigalienė, Deputy Minister of Social Security and Labour, presented the project in the Seimas this week, stating: “Broader protection against discrimination and accessible assistance will be ensured, meaning that everyone can quickly and easily receive help, information on how to act in a given situation if they face discrimination, and how to resolve it. Last year, the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson’s office received over 2,000 complaints, many from people facing discrimination due to disability. It is very important to represent and support people with disabilities.”

She also emphasised that institutions will be required to collect data, conduct reviews, and provide recommendations. “This is a new provision enshrined in the law. The office will have to participate in the legislative process by providing provisions,” she said.

The draft will now be considered by the Seimas Human Rights Committee and is expected to return to the parliamentary floor during the autumn session.