Statement by India at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group 40th Session (24 January – 04 February 2022) : 3rd UPR of Lithuania - Interactive Dialogue, delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India [Geneva, 26 January 2022]

Mr. President,

      India warmly welcomes the delegation of Lithuania and thanks them for the comprehensive presentation.

2.    As a fellow member of the Human Rights Council, we appreciate Lithuania’s continued efforts in its commitment to promote and protect human rights through enactment of various human rights-related legislation, relevant policies and programmes at national level. We also appreciate Lithuania’s cooperation with the UN human rights mechanisms, including submission of various human rights treaty body reports.

3.    We appreciate Lithuania has made progress in developing sector policies guiding the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights as well as improving the livelihoods of their people, including the National Progress Plan in the field of social policy and human rights.

4.     In the spirit of dialogue and constructive cooperation, India recommends the following to Lithuania:

           i. continue efforts to strengthen gender-sensitive training on all aspects of trafficking in persons, in particular women and girls, for judges, prosecutors, and other law enforcement agencies.

                ii. take further measures to prevent hate speech and hate crimes.

               iii. remove obstacles hindering the inclusion of children with special educational needs in the education system.

5. Finally, we wish Lithuania all success in its future endeavors

Thank you, Mr. President.

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