On 24 October, the annual international scientific-practical conference on constitutional law, “The Role of Independent Oversight Institutions in the Constitutional Framework,” was held at the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania. The event brought together members of the legal community to celebrate Constitution Day and to discuss the importance of institutions established by the Constitution that do not fall under the classic division of powers, as well as their role in a democratic society. The conference was organized by the Parliamentary Ombudspersons’ Office in cooperation with social and academic partners.

At the conference, participants discussed the establishment of the first ombuds institutions in Sweden more than 200 years ago, as well as the evolution of modern ombuds institutions. Alongside their traditional functions of overseeing how public authorities serve people, many of today’s ombuds institutions also perform several additional mandates, such as acting as the National Human Rights Institution, the National Preventive Mechanism, or the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings. As a result, they face daily dilemmas in balancing tasks that may sometimes be in tension with one another.

Speakers also examined the advantages and disadvantages of establishing specialized institutions operating alongside the Parliamentary Ombudspersons, drawing on the experience shared by representatives from Ukraine. They raised the question of whether the powers of the Parliamentary Ombudspersons could be expanded to include the right to apply to the Constitutional Court. Additionally, they considered whether the latest legislative amendments—under which a third Parliamentary Ombudsperson will be appointed and granted the authority to investigate complaints from business entities, including in the field of public service provision—might distort the true nature and purpose of the ombuds institution.

Conference participants unanimously agreed that, as democracy faces increasing challenges and political priorities continue to shift, institutions such as ombudspersons remain a vital pillar in safeguarding and defending human rights and freedoms and in ensuring the implementation of the principles of accountable governance and governmental responsibility to the public.

The keynote speeches at the conference were delivered by Prof. Dr. Gintaras Goda, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania and Professor of Practic e at Vilnius University, and Assist. Prof. Dr. Erika Leonaitė, Parliamentary Ombudsperson of the Republic of Lithuania, Head of the National Human Rights Institution, and Assistant Professor at Vilnius University.

Other speakers included:
Prof. Dr. Algirdas Taminskas, first Head of the Parliamentary Ombudspersons’ Office of the Republic of Lithuania, former Justice of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania, Judge at the Supreme Court of Lithuania, and Professor of Practice at Vilnius University;
Erik Nymansson, Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman of Sweden;
Prof. Dr. Oleksandr Petryshyn, Acting Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine;
Prof. Dr. Skirgailė Žalimienė, President of the Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania and Professor at Vilnius University;
Ann-Charlotte Nygård, Representative of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights;
Assist. Prof. Dr. Wojciech Włoch, Assistant Professor at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun;
Andrii Ovsiienko, Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights;
Prof. Dr. Toma Birmontienė, Professor at Mykolas Romeris University and former Justice of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania;
Birutė Sabatauskaitė, Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson of the Republic of Lithuania
Prof. Dr. Edita Žiobienė, Ombudsperson for Child’s Rights of the Republic of Lithuania and Professor of Practice at Mykolas Romeris University;
Mindaugas Kukaitis, Chairman of the Council of the Lithuanian Bar.

Since January 1, 2025, the Parliamentary Ombudspersons’ Office has assumed the role of the National Rapporteur on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. Previously, this responsibility was held by the Ministry of the Interior. The decision to transfer this function to the Parliamentary Ombudspersons’ Office was made to ensure the independence of the National Rapporteur from involvement in the formulation, implementation, and coordination of state policy related to combating human trafficking.  

The Parliamentary Ombudspersons’ Office has issued a report of the situation on combating human trafficking in the Republic of Lithuania in 2024. The report highlights key positive changes, challenges, and systemic issues identified in the field of combating human trafficking in 2024, as well as provides relevant recommendations to state institutions and agencies. 

The latest report reveals that conditions remain favorable for trafficking in human beings, with rising numbers of foreign victims and inconsistent institutional responses.  

A favourable environment for trafficking in human beings 

The 2024 report on the situation of human trafficking in Lithuania shows that conditions are favourable both for the recruitment of Lithuanian citizens for exploitation abroad and for the exploitation of third-country nationals within Lithuania. The number of third-country victims increased significantly over the past year. Among the 22 officially recognised victims, 18 were citizens of third countries, most commonly from Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Belarus. All of these individuals were subjected to forced labour exploitation, primarily in the transport sector. 

In total, 26 pre-trial investigations were ongoing in 2024, with 17 new investigations, (27% increase compared to 2023). Almost half of these new cases concerned trafficking for labour exploitation, others involved sexual exploitation, exploitation for criminal activities (such as theft), forced begging, and two cases involving child trafficking (illegal adoption), one of which was related to surrogate motherhood. Notably, Lithuania was identified as the country of destination in 82% of new cases, 50% more than in 2023, underscoring its growing attractiveness to traffickers.  

It is noteworthy that in 2024, for the first time since 2010, no human trafficking cases were referred to the courts of first instance. A total of 12 individuals (2 women and 10 men) were convicted, half as many as in 2023. In the same period, charges were brought against 27 individuals and one legal entity. This shows a clear increase compared to the previous year, even as case referrals to courts declined. 

Official statistics do not reflect reality 

Most identified victims were men aged 31– 40. Notably, no victims aged 18–20 were recorded in 2024, while there were victims also including individuals aged 51– 60 and over 60 years old. Such a tendency reveals the broader vulnerability of affected groups. However, pre-trial investigation data does not reflect the true scale and demographics of human trafficking. In reality, far more adults of both genders and children fall victim to this crime. For example, trafficking for sexual exploitation remains widespread across the European Union, yet in Lithuania, only 3 pre-trial investigations were initiated on this basis last year, one of which was discontinued. 

“Criminal groups often manage to evade law enforcement and manipulate their victims to the extent that they rarely perceive themselves as victims of trafficking. Victims are also reluctant to seek help due to fear of retaliation from traffickers, mistrust of authorities, feelings of shame, or lack of legal residency in the country,” says Parliamentary Ombudsperson Dr. Erika Leonaitė. She emphasizes that victims are often deceived or exploited because of their vulnerability linked to poverty, addiction, or disability. 

The much higher actual number of victims is also reflected in data provided by non-governmental organisations. Last year, they provided comprehensive assistance to 107 new victims of trafficking, and 132 people received continuing support. Most assistance services included information and counselling, help with personal documentation, support for integration into society, job search and employment assistance, and legal services. 

Diverging approaches of national institutions 

In 2024, state and municipal institutions participated in national and international training for professionals and experts, carried out awareness campaigns, and disseminated information about trafficking forms, risks, appropriate responses, and available support. Furthermore, Lithuania adopted its third national action plan against trafficking in human beings for the year of 2024-2026 to ensure progress in tackling this issue. 

Despite these efforts, the response to human trafficking remains uneven, depending on available resources, institutional policies, and the attitudes of staff. Many systemic challenges remain, including the absence of an effective mechanism for recognising victims who are reluctant to engage with law enforcement, the limited funding available for NGOs, and a lack of proactive identification of potential victims. 

According to Seimas Ombudsperson Dr Jolita Miliuvienė, these differences are particularly evident among municipalities: “Nearly one-third of municipalities choose not to take measures because they do not perceive human trafficking as a problem in their regions. Since they are not legally obliged to implement trafficking prevention measures, those municipalities that do take action do so on their initiative or based on recommendations.” 

Recommendations: more consistency, resources, and accountability 

The Parliamentary Ombudspersons’ Office has issued recommendations to ministries and other governmental institutions, urging them to strengthen efforts to combat human trafficking by improving legislation, allocating dedicated budgets, and expanding specialized training. It also recommended enhancing cooperation between state and municipal institutions and assisting non-governmental organisations to ensure more effective prevention and better support for victims. 

The report further stresses the need to guarantee assistance and ensure its accessibility for all victims of trafficking, regardless of whether they have been formally recognized as victims by law enforcement. These recommendations align with Directive (EU) 2024/1712, amending Directive 2011/36/EU, which calls for a comprehensive, victim-centered approach to prevention, protection, and prosecution.  

Read the full report in Lithuanian here. 

The National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) of Lithuania has joined NPMs from 45 other countries to contribute to the development of a global report on women in prison, launched today by the Geneva-based Association for the Prevention of Torture.

This landmark report highlights significant challenges and systemic discrimination faced by women in prisons around the globe, calling for urgent reforms and greater use of alternatives to detention.

Drawing on data and analysis from National Preventive Mechanisms operating across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America, the report provides the first global analysis of women in prison based on the findings of NPMs, independent oversight bodies with a mandate to prevent torture and ill-treatment in all places where people are deprived of liberty.

The Global Report on Women in Prison: Analysis from National Preventive Mechanisms reveals that women, who represent a small but growing percentage of the global prison population, are often subjected to systemic neglect and discrimination.

The report identifies several concerning themes affecting women in prison in the 46 countries reviewed, including:

• Heightened risks of ill-treatment: Women face unique challenges in prison, such as humiliating and invasive body searches, inappropriate use of solitary confinement and restraints, with particularly severe impacts on pregnant women, LGBTIQ+ women, indigenous women and women with mental health conditions.
• Neglect of gender-specific needs: Access to adequate healthcare, hygiene facilities and products, and mental health services often falls far short of international standards, exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities.
• Intersectional discrimination: Foreign women, indigenous women, older women, LGBTIQ+ women, pregnant women and women from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds face specific – and sometimes greater – risks of abuse and discrimination.

Since the adoption in 2010 of the United Nations Bangkok Rules, which aim to address the needs of women in the criminal justice system, important progress has been made but much remains to be done to implement these standards in practice.

The report offers comprehensive recommendations to drive systemic change for women in prison, emphasising the crucial role of NPMs in driving reforms.

Key recommendations include:

• Implementing gender-responsive alternatives to imprisonment for women, particularly for non-violent offenses.
• Implementing alternatives to harmful or humiliating practices that can amount to ill-treatment, such as solitary confinement, use of restraints and body searches
• Ensuring access to gender-specific healthcare and mental health support
• Strengthening family contact through flexible visiting arrangements and communication options
• Improving staff training on gender-sensitive approaches
• Addressing the specific needs of women at heightened risk of ill-treatment, including pregnant women, LGBTIQ+ women, indigenous and foreign women.

The report also provides good practice examples from different countries.

The Global Report is accompanied by individual country reports prepared by NPMs and Local Preventive Mechanisms operating in the 46 countries, including here in Lithuania: https://www.apt.ch/global-report/lithuania

The Global Report is supported by the Government of Canada and the City of Geneva.