Lithuania

In 2020, with the support of the project "Strengthening the Response to Hate Crimes and the Language of Hate in Lithuania" funded by the European Union's Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014–2020), the Prosecutor General issued an updated version of the Methodological Recommendations on the Peculiarities of Conducting, Organizing and Guiding the Pre-Trial Investigation of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech.

The Ministry of Interior compiled a practical guide for law enforcement officers on cooperation with communities vulnerable to hate crimes. Under the same ministry, a working group to promote an effective response to hate crimes and hate speech in Lithuania was established in February 2020. The working group consists of representatives of the criminal justice system, other relevant agencies, and civil society. It has been tasked with: (i) considering the issues of raising public awareness of hate crimes and hate speech, promoting dialogue with vulnerable communities and other ways to increase the effectiveness of the fight against hate crimes and hate speech and making relevant proposals; (ii) monitoring the implementation of the international obligations in the field of prevention of hate crimes and hate speech, and preparing proposals on their proper implementation; (iii) assessing relevant applicable and draft legislation; (iv) considering the issues involved in improving the monitoring of hate crime and hate speech in Lithuania; (v) preparing and publishing annual reports on hate crimes and hate speech in Lithuania; (vi) exchanging relevant information on planned and ongoing activities and best practices in the field of prevention of hate crime and hate speech; (vii) initiating events to strengthen the public's capacity to recognise hate crimes and hate speech, reduce the latency of hate crime, and strengthen the relevant competences of law enforcement institutions and other state institutions and bodies and civil society organisations (CSOs); and (viii) considering the recommendations of international organisations, NGOs, and other organisations with regard to the response to hate crimes and hate speech in Lithuania and preparing proposals for their implementation.