The Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania
The Government policy of national minorities is formed and implemented by the Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania (henceforth, the Department), established in 1989. In implementing that policy the Department makes conclusions about the situation of the national minorities in the country, investigates their needs, drafts international treaties and submits them to the Government, summarises and interprets the practice of laws and other legal acts, puts forward proposals on their adoption and upgrading, conducts various surveys, informs the public about the priorities of the national minorities, their cultural and public life.
The main task entrusted to the Department concerns the protection of rights of persons belonging to national minorities, safeguarding of their interests, attendance to their needs and care for the preservation of national identity and heritage.
The Department works in close co-operation with various institutions of the Republic of Lithuania: the Human Rights Committee of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman, the Seimas Committees of Foreign Relations and of Education and Science, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Justice, the State Commission of the Lithuanian Language, the Open Society - Lithuania Foundation, Civil Initiatives Centre, Lithuanian Human Rights Centre, Children’s Fund of Lithuania, other Lithuanian and foreign non-governmental organisations. Close co-operation has also been established with international institutions: the Council of Europe Advisory Committee, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance.
In order to ensure greater participation of national communities in decision-making on issues relating to the protection of their rights, in 1995 the Council of National Communities with representatives of twenty national communities among its members was established under the Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad. The Council submits recommendations and proposals on the improvement of national relations to the Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad, the Seimas and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, other public institutions, helps foster national accord in Lithuania and co-ordinates the activities of national communities.
Currently, the Department coordinates the following programmes:
- The Programme for Cultural Support of the Activities of National Minorities Residing in Lithuania and
- the Programme for the Integration of Roma in Lithuanian Society for 2000-2004.
It is noteworthy that on June 8, under the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania a long-term Action Programme for the Integration of National Minorities in the Lithuanian Society for 2005 to 2010 was adopted. The Program, prepared by the Department, is designated to develop and implement a state policy concerning national relations so as to promote national minorities to get integrated into the society of Lithuania, to foster tolerance among public, to prevent discrimination, seclusion, and hatred on ethnic basis.
In December 2004, the Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania commenced its participation as a partner in two international EQUAL projects
“ The establishment and testing of support mechanism for the integration of national minorities into labour market“
and ”The establishment and testing of support mechanism for the integration of Roma into labour market“ .
In 2005 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania allocated a financial support of 725 thousand Litas for various cultural activities of national minority organizations.
