n 19 August 2015 the Seimas Ombudsman Augustinas Normantas paid a visit to Panevėžys where an introductory meeting with an administration of Panevėžys municipality and heads of adult care homes of Panevėžys district was conducted.

At the meeting the Deputy Mayor of Panevėžys Petras Luomanas noted that a person does not lose his / her dignity after moving to an elderly foster home: “On the contrary, those people need more attention and responsiveness”.

The mandate for national prevention of torture under Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) as well as peculiarities of human rights assessment were introduced to the participants of the meeting.

Further, the most significant and systematic problems that had been identified in adult care institutions during 2014 – 2015 were highlighted, and the progress of implementation of the recommendations issued by the Seimas Ombudsman was discussed at the meeting.

When visiting adult care institutions, the officials of the Human Rights Division of the Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office have documented several human rights violations concerning safety of residents, living conditions, adaptation of premises and equipment for the disabled people, assurance of privacy, promotion of self-sufficiency, health care and sufficient number of qualified personnel.

Human rights situation has been monitored by the Seimas Ombudsmen since 2014 when the mandate for the national prevention of torture was granted to the Seimas Ombudsmen's Office. The Human Rights Division of the Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office has monitored ten adult care homes since then.

The meeting was initiated by the Seimas Ombudsman A. Normantas in pursuit of closer cooperation with the heads of adult care homes and the management bodies of social care services in Panevėžys district.

Concluding his visit to Panevežys, the Seimas Ombudsman A. Nornantas wished strength for the heads of adult care homes in accomplishing complicated, however, very important work.

“Do not forget, that you take care of those, who receive very little attention from others. Therefore, the quality of life of such people depends very much on your attitude towards them” emphasised the Seimas Ombudsman.

In addition, the representatives of the Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office introduced a project on the Human Rights of Older Persons and Long-term Care that is being implemented by the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENHRI).

The Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office has been actively involved in the activities of the ENHHRI since 2012. On 30 September 2014 it officially became a member of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions.