Lithuania 

Protection and asylum for human rights defender Olga Karach

Urgent Action

(25.08.2023) Following the denial of political asylum by the Lithuanian authorities for the Belarusian peacebuilder and human rights defender Olga Karach (Volha Karach), the international campaign #protection4olga has just been launched to demand protection and asylum for the director of the organisation ‘Our House‘. She has been fighting for human rights in Belarus for years, including the right to conscientious objection to military service, and is therefore persecuted and faces capital punishment in her country of origin, where she has been labelled a ‘terrorist’ by the regime.

Report on the situation of Belarusian refugees in Lithuania

(17.08.2023) Written by International Centre for civil initiatives “Our House” (Nash Dom), Belarus & Lithuania with the support of International Fellowship of Reconciliation – Austria, European Bureau for Conscientious Objection, Federation for Social Defence, Germany, Connection e.V., War Resisters’ International, The International Peace Bureau (IPB), Vilnius, 17 August 2023

Read the full report here: Report on the situation of Belarusian refugees in Lithuania – OUR HOUSE (news.house)

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Report on the situation of Belarusian Conscientious Objectors and draft evaders in Lithuania

(17.08.2023) In early 2023, around 48,804 Belarusians sought refuge in Lithuania due to 2020 protests and war, with about 55,000 residing there by July 2023. Over 1,165 Belarusians were labeled “national security threats” in six months, often based on past army service or attendance at a cadet academy, lacking specific accusations.

Written by International Centre for civil initiatives “Our House” (Nash Dom), Belarus & Lithuania, with the support of International Fellowship of Reconciliation – Austria, European Bureau for Conscientious Objection, Federation for Social Defence, Germany, Connection e.V., War Resisters’ International, The International Peace Bureau (IPB), Vilnius, 17 August 2023

Read the full report here: https://news.house/60784

Lithuania: conscription suspended

(06.10.2009) On 1 July 2009, the last conscripts left the Armed Forces of Lithuania. This completes the transition of the Lithuanian Armed Forces to a volunteer force. While conscription has now been suspended, Lithuania still does not recognise the right to conscientious objection for professional soldiers.