The OSCE Secretariat bears no responsibility for the content of this document FSC.EMI/34/25 and circulates it without altering its content. The distribution by OSCE 10 April 2025 Conference Services of this document is without prejudice to OSCE decisions, as set out in documents agreed by OSCE participating States. ENGLISH only QUESTIONNAIRE
ON THE CODE OF CONDUCT
ON POLITICO-MILITARY ASPECTS OF SECURITY
Section I: Inter-State Elements
1. Account of measures to prevent and combat terrorism
1.1 To which agreements and arrangements (universal, regional, sub-regional and bilateral) related to preventing and combating terrorism is your State a party?
a) United Nations Conventions: 1. Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material – Vienna 26/10/79; entry into force in Lithuania – 6 January 1994. 2. Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts of Violence at Airports Serving International Aviation, complementary to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Aircraft – Montreal 24/02/88; entry into force in Lithuania – 3 January 1997. 3. Convention on Offences and Certain Other Offences Committed on Board Aircraft – Tokyo 14/09/63; entry into force in Lithuania – 19 February 1997. 4. Convention on the Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft – The Hague 16/12/70; entry into force in Lithuania – 3 January 1997. 5. Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Aircraft – Montreal 23/09/71; entry into force in Lithuania – 3 January 1997. 6. Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection – Montreal 01/03/91; entry into force in Lithuania – 21 June 1998. 7. Convention Against the Taking of Hostages – New York 17/12/79; entry into force in Lithuania – 2 February 2001. 8. The United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime – New York 15/11/2000; entry into force in Lithuania – 9 May 2002. 9. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Internationally Protected Persons, Including Diplomatic Personnel – New York 14/12/73; entry into force in Lithuania – 23 October 2002. 10. International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism – New York, 09/12/99; entry into force in Lithuania – 20 February 2003. 11. Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation – Rome 10/03/91; entry into force in Lithuania – 30 April 2003. 12. Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Fixed Platforms on the Continental Shelf – Rome 10/03/88; entry into force in Lithuania – 30 April 2003. 13. International Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings – New York 15/12/97; entry into force in Lithuania – 17 March 2004. 14. Protocol to the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf – London 14/10/2005 – not a State Party. 15. Protocol to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation – London 14/10/2005 – not a State Party. 16. International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism - New York 13/04/2005; entry into force in Lithuania – 19 July 2007. 17. Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material – 08/07/2005; ratified on 3 June 2008. 18. Convention on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Relating to International Civil Aviation – Beijing 10/09/2010 – not a State Party. 19. Protocol Supplementary to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft – Beijing 10/09/2010 – not a State Party. 20. Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime - New York, 31/05/2001; entry into force in Lithuania 01/01/2005".
1 b) Council of Europe Conventions related to terrorism: 1. European Convention on Extradition CETS No: 024 – Paris 13/12/1957; entry into force in Lithuania – 18 September 1995. 2. Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Extradition CETS No: 086 – Strasbourg 15/10/1975; entry into force in Lithuania – 18 September 1995. 3. Second Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Extradition CETS No: 098 – Strasbourg 17/3/1978; entry into force in Lithuania – 18 September 1995. 4. Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime CETS No: 141 – Strasbourg 8/11/1990; entry into force in Lithuania – 1 October 1995. 5. European Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters CETS No: 030 – Strasbourg 20/4/1959; entry into force in Lithuania –16 July 1997. 6. Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters CETS No: 099 – Strasbourg 17/3/1978; entry into force in Lithuania – 16 July 1997. 7. European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism CETS No: 090 – Strasbourg 27/01/1977; entry into force in Lithuania – 8 March 1997. 8. European Convention on the Transfer of Proceedings in Criminal Matters CETS No: 073 – Strasbourg 15/5/1972; entry into force in Lithuania – 24 February 2000. 9. Convention on Cybercrime CETS No: 185 – Strasbourg 23/11/2001; entry into force in Lithuania –1 July 2004; 10. Second Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters CETS No: 182 – Strasbourg 8/11/2001; entry into force in Lithuania – 1 August 2004. 11. Protocol amending the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism (2003) CETS No: 190 – Strasbourg 15/5/2003; ratified by Lithuania – 12 September 2005. 12. Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism (2005) CETS No: 198 – Warsaw 16/5/2005, entry into force in Lithuania – 01 August 2020. 13. Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism CETS No: 196 – Warsaw 16/05/2005; entry into force in Lithuania– 01 September 2014. 14. Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism, Riga, 22/10/2015 CETS No: 196; entry into force in Lithuania – 01 January 2019. c) Other regional, sub-regional or bilateral agreements or arrangements: 1. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on cooperation in combating organized crime, illegal drug and psychotropic substances trafficking, terrorism and other crimes – Astana 11/05/00; entry into force – 21 August 2001. 2. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of the Republic of Hungary on cooperation in combating terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, organized crime and other major crimes – Vilnius 04/03/97; entry into force – 20 November 2002. 3. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Cooperation in Combating the Crime – Tashkent 18/02/02; entry into force – 17 July 2002. 4. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany on the cooperation in combating organized crime, terrorism and other major crimes – Vilnius 23/02/01; entry into force – 10 July 2003. 5. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of the United States of America Concerning Cooperation in the Area of the Prevention of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, and the Promotion of Defence and Military Relations – Vilnius 10/10/02; entry into force – 24 April 2003. 6. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on cooperation in combating terrorism, organized crime, illicit circulation of (trafficking in) narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and other major crimes – Vilnius 02/06/97; entry into force – 12 August 2004. 7. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of the Republic of Belarus on cooperation in combating organized crime, illegal drug and psychotropic substances trafficking, terrorism and other crimes – Vilnius 03/10/05; entry into force – 17 July 2007. 8. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of the Republic of Latvia on Cooperation in Combating Organized Crime and other Offences and on Joint Actions in Border Regions – Vilnius 07/06/06; entry into force – 15 July 2007. 9. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of the Republic of Poland on Cooperation in Combat against Organized Crime and Other Crimes and Cooperation in the Border Territories – Vilnius 14/03/06; entry into force – 08 July 2007. 10. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on Cooperation in Combating the Crime and International Terrorism – Kyiv 12/04/07; entry into force – 02 February 2008.
2 11. Agreement between the Republic of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Spain on Co-operation in Detecting, Investigating and Preventing Criminal Offences – Madrid 03/12/07; entry into force – 07 February 2009. 12. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of the Slovak Republic on Co-Operation in Detecting, Investigating and Preventing Criminal Offences – Bratislava 10/06/08; entry into force – 14 March 2009. 13. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of Georgia on Cooperation in the Fight against Crime – Vilnius 26/09/13; entry into force – 14 January 2015. 14. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of the United States of America concerning Cooperation in the Area of the Prevention of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, and the Promotion of Defence and Military Relations – Vilnius 10/10/02; entry into force – 24 April 2003. 15. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and Government of the State of Israel on Cooperation on Public Security and Fight Against Crime – Jerusalem, 12/06/2018; entry into force – 05 March 2021. 16. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of the Republic of Moldova on Cooperation in the Fight against Crime – Chisinau 03/08/2022; entry into force – 4 January 2023. 1.2 What national legislation has been adopted in your State to implement the above- mentioned agreements and arrangements? 1. Law on the Control of Strategic Goods of 5 July 1995 (last amendments of 1 April 2023) – establishes the conditions of control of export, import and transit of military equipment and of mediation related thereto as well as of activities that may contribute to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and conventional arms. 2. Law on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing of 19 June 1997 (last amendments 11 July 2024) – specifies the measures for the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing and designates the institutions responsible for the implementation of the money laundering and terrorist financing prevention measures. 3. The Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania of 26 September 2000 – provides for criminal liability for acts of terrorism or terrorism related crimes. The amendments to the Criminal Code, that entered into force as of 13 July 2013, have comprehensively reviewed and improved the elements of terrorist offences, introduced new offences of public incitement to terrorism, recruitment for terrorism, training of terrorists, threatening to commit a terrorist offence, financing and support of terrorism, introduced definitions of “terrorist offences” and “offences linked to terrorism”, etc. The Law also brought necessary adjustments regarding criminalization of creation and activities of groups aiming at committing terrorist offences. On 14 May 2017 articles of the Criminal Code concerning terrorism were amended and supplemented by Law No. XIII-342 of the Republic of Lithuania. Specifically, Paragraph 1 of Article 2504, Article 2505 and Paragraph 2 of Article 2521 were amended, and the Code was supplemented with Article 2506. On 4 December 2018 articles of the Criminal Code were amended by Law No. XIII-1682 of the Republic of Lithuania. Specifically, Paragraph 2 of Article 250, Paragraph 1 of Article 2503 and Paragraph 1 of Article 2521. 4. Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania No 820 of 4 June 2002 on the measures for the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions 1333(2000), 1373(2001), 1388 (2002) and 1390 (2002) – imposes sanctions on Osama bin Laden, Taliban and Al Qaeda. 5. Law on Implementation of Economic and other International Sanctions of 22 April 2004 – stipulates the procedure for imposition, change and termination of the non-military international sanctions imposed by the United Nations and other international organizations, as well as the European Union. 6. Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania No 237 of 1 March 2005 on the Approval of the List of the States to Which the Export or Transit of the Goods Listed in the Common Military List is Prohibited and for which Brokering in Negotiations and Transactions in the Goods Listed in the Common Military List is Prohibited (last amendments of 13 April 2019). 7. Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania No 113 of 6 February 2008 on the measures for the implementation of international sanctions listed in EU Council Common Position 2001/930/CFSP on combating terrorism. 8. Law on Cyber Security of 11 December 2014 (last amendments of 1 December 2021) – establishes cyber security principles, specifies institutions which develop and implement cyber security policy, defines powers of such authorities in the field of cyber securities, and determines duties of cyber security entities as well as inter- institutional cooperation. 9. Law on the Principles of Activities of Transport No. I-1862 of 8 October 1991 (last amendment of 1 November 2022) – establishes the obligation of the carriers, engaged in transportation of passengers by air, to provide the passenger data for the purposes of prevention, detection, investigation and criminal prosecution for terrorist offences and criminal activities associated with terrorism, as well as serious and grave criminal acts. 10. Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania No. 1123 of 20 December 2017 – establishes a procedure of passenger data provision to Lithuanian competent authorities, exchange between Member States and transfer to third countries.
3 11. Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania No. 818 of 13 August 2018 (last amendments of 1 January 2021) on the adoption of the National Cyber Security Strategy, Organizational and technical cyber security requirements imposed on cyber security entities, National Cyber Incident Management Plan and Methodology for identification of critical information infrastructure. 12. Law on the Control of Arms and Ammunition of 15 January 2002 (last amendments of 22 December 2024) – establishes the licensing requirements for manufacturing, export, import, transit, brokering, trade and repair of weapons and ammunition.
1.3 What are the roles and missions of military, paramilitary and security forces and the police in preventing and combating terrorism in your State?
According to the provisions of the Law on Basics of National Security, the State Security Department of the Republic of Lithuania coordinates activities of national institutions in fight against terrorism. For this purpose there is a special inter- institutional working group established and led by the State Security Department, which is entitled to deal with various terrorism prevention issues related to institutional cooperation. The Lithuanian Police is responsible for prevention, detection and investigation of terrorist crimes and crimes linked to terrorism. A specialized counter terrorism unit was established under the central criminal police agency of the Republic of Lithuania, i.e. in the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau. As for County Police Headquarters (Regional Police), counter terrorism officers were appointed within their Organized Crime Investigation Units in the regions. They are responsible for pursuing terrorism-related criminal intelligence and prevention, suppression, disclosure and investigation of criminal offences related to terrorist acts, as well as unlawful production, acquisition, storing, carrying, transportation and (or) handling of firearms, ammunition, explosives and explosive substances. The Lithuanian Police Anti-Terrorist Operations Unit “Aras” is a Police unit, which organizes, manages and implements special operations requiring the use of the well-prepared, armed and specially equipped forces on the entire territory of Lithuania. The Financial Crime Investigation Service under the Ministry of the Interior implements money laundering and terrorist financing prevention measures aimed at creating an effective national anti-money laundering system and ensures its proper functioning as well as conducts pre-trial investigation of legalisation of the funds and property derived from the criminal activity. The Armed Forces of the Republic of Lithuania are tasked to contribute to state efforts in responding to terrorist acts when capabilities of other institutions are not sufficient. If needed, the Armed Forces also contribute to the protection of critical importance infrastructure objects. 1.4 Provide any additional relevant information on national efforts to prevent and combat terrorism, e.g., those pertaining inter alia to: financing of terrorism; border controls; travel document security; container and supply chain security; security of radioactive sources; use of the Internet and other information networks for terrorist purposes; legal co-operation including extradition; safe havens and shelter to terrorists and terrorist organizations.
On 22 June 2023, by Resolution No. XIV-2088 the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania approved the Public Security Strengthening and Development Programme. One of the goals of this programme is to reduce threats of serious crime and terrorism: developing the analytical potential of law enforcement agencies, effective risk analysis; introducing advanced technologies, innovations and tools to prevent, identify and investigate criminal offences; developing the necessary competences of law enforcement officials; exploiting the opportunities for inter-institutional and international cooperation and exchange of information, enhancing the necessary special competences and technological capabilities of law enforcement officials; improve the framework for the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing; increase the effectiveness of the mechanism for tracing, seizing and confiscating criminal assets; improve the monitoring and prevention of radicalisation of the population; strengthen the capacity to respond to acts of terrorism, etc. In 2020, the new version of the Law on the Prevention of Organized Crime of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter - the LPOC) was adopted. The LPOC establishes the principles and tasks of organized crime prevention, measures for the prevention of organized crime and their application, and conditions and bases for the cooperation of members of organized criminal groups with law enforcement authorities. The LPOC applies to persons who belong to a group of three or more persons who have been active for some time, possibly in one or more serious and very serious crimes, who are linked by constant interrelationships and roles or tasks and who are members of organized crime groups identified by the Police Department using Analytical Evaluation of Reliable Data. Given that perpetrators of terrorist offenses have all the characteristics of organized crime and organized criminal groups, the LPOC improves the capacity of law enforcement authorities to combat terrorism, terrorist offenses and perpetrators effectively.
4 The law on the amendment of Articles 189 and 216 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania adopted by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania on 23 November 2021 should be mentioned as one of the measures aimed at the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. This law serves for the specification of the provisions setting out an additional characteristic of the composition of criminal offences enshrined in these articles and reading as „or while engaged in criminal activity“. That is the composition of a crime enshrined which defines that not only cases when the property of one's own or another person is disguised or legalized but also when another person engaged in criminal activity is assisted in avoiding legal consequences (criminal liability) of their actions shall be also considered as money laundering. In order to comply with the FATF recommendation R6, on 22 of May 2024 Lithuanian Government adopted a Resolution No 381 amending Government Resolution No. 535 of 25 May 2022 “Description of the Procedures for the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions establishing targeted financial sanctions in the areas of terrorism and terrorist financing and the proliferation and financing of weapons of mass destruction (Description on UN SC sanctions). The amendments of the Government’s Resolution No. 535 and Description on UN SC sanctions come into force on 25 May 2024. The changes of the amended Description on UN SC sanctions: - more clearly regulates the procedures for proposing and delisting natural or legal persons, groups and entities following the UN SC resolutions establishing targeted financial sanctions in the areas of terrorism and terrorist financing and the proliferation and financing of weapons of mass destruction - newly regulates the power for the FCIS, to announce a list of natural or legal persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts whose funds and other financial assets must be frozen based on the framework specified in UN SC Resolution 1373 (2001); - further regulates the procedure for ensuring the implementation of targeted financial sanctions in the areas of terrorism and terrorist financing and proliferation and financing of weapons of mass destruction, specifying what targeted financial sanctions covers, what action must be taken by those implementing targeted financial sanctions, in which cases targeted financial sanctions may be waived/suspended.
On 8 October 2024, following the grounds of Description on UN SC sanctions, the Financial Crime Investigation Service under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania (FCIS) approved order No V-191, on the Approval of Supervisory Instructions of the Implementation of International Financial Sanctions in the field of regulation of the Financial Crime Investigation Service under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania (FCIS order No V- 191). The order come into force on 10 October 2024 and has 2 annexes: 1. Supervisory Instructions of the implementation of international financial sanctions in the field of regulation of the Financial Crime Investigation Service under the Ministry of the Interior of Lithuania; 2. Description on the procedure for examining proposals for listing and delisting on the grounds set out in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001).
Following the recommendations of the Counter-Terrorism Working Group led by the State Security Department of Lithuania, an inter-institutional working group was established by Decree No. 100 of the Prime Minister on 15 May 2024, to implement the recommendations made to Lithuania in the report of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the United Nations Security Council, aimed at implementing United Nations Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017) and other relevant resolutions. In 2021, the Law on Public Information of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter - LPI) was amended, the purpose of which is to determine the procedure for collecting, compiling, publishing and disseminating public information, rights, obligations and responsibilities of public information producers, disseminators, participants, and journalists. The amendment to the LPI defined the concept of information inciting terrorist offenses as “information which directly or indirectly promotes or incites the commission of terrorist offenses, including information which glorifies or justifies such offenses, denigrates their victims or disseminates their images in order to secure support for terrorist behaviour or to intimidate the population.” In 2023, the Law on Public Information of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter – LPI), was amended while implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/784 of the European Parliament and of the Council on addressing the dissemination of terrorist content online of 29 April 2021. The aforementioned amendment to the law authorizes Lithuanian police, upon learning about disseminated terrorist content, to issue orders to hosting service providers to remove terrorist content or to terminate access to it in all EU or EEA member states, according to the Regulation (EU) 2021/784. Lithuanian police is also authorized to impose economic sanctions on hosting service providers which fail to comply with an order to remove or disable access to terrorist content, or fail to report the removal of such content. By the order of the Lithuanian Police Commissioner General No. 5-V-540 of 27 June 2023, International Liaison Office (Single Point of Contact Unit) of the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau was designated as a unit to carry out the functions assigned to the police by the LPI including matters of imposing economic sanctions.
5 Resolution no. 1614-8 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, adopted on 10 November 2010, regulates the determination of the threat level of a terrorist act, its announcement and the procedure for preparedness. In 2020, the Lithuanian Police Department has completed the implementation of the project no. LT/2018/VSF/5.2.5.1 “Development of the Passenger Name Record (PNR) Management System, Phase I” for the modernization of the Passenger Name Record (PNR) Recording System (hereinafter - PNRRS). The functionalities and performance of PNRRS data processing have been improved, and unique analytical tools have been developed to maximize the use of passenger data for the prevention, detection and investigation of serious, very serious and terrorist offenses. During this project, it was possible to develop and implement personal face recognition software that processes data from video surveillance cameras installed at Lithuanian airports. Face recognition will make a significant contribution not only to the implementation of Directive 2016/681 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the use of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offenses and serious crime (OJ 2016 L 119, p. 132), but it will also be an indispensable tool for identifying fugitive wanted persons trying to travel by air and remain unnoticed. In 2021 the II Phase of the project was launched, aimed at further development of national PNR system, automation of PIU processes and implementation of a feasibility study on possibility to process other transport modes passenger’s data. Passenger Information Unit (PIU) was established on 1 January 2017 by the Order of the Lithuanian Police Commissioner General No. 5-V-1017 of 5 December 2016, which conducts a risk assessment of travelers. Officers delegated by the State Border Guard Service, State Security Department and Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance (since 1 July 2020), Defence Intelligence and Security Service under the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania (AOTD) (since 1 June 2021) are also authorized to perform functions of the PIU. A representative from the Ministry of the Interior takes part in the meetings of the High-level Commission Expert Group on Radicalization (HLCEG-R). A representative of the Lithuanian Police participate activities in Terrorism working party (TWP – the official EU Council working group on terrorism); AP Travelers (Europol Analytical Project that includes the exchange of information between Member States on the movement of persons to conflict zones); AP Hydra; AP Phoenix; Police Working Group on Terrorism (PWGT); AP Core International Crimes (CIC); AP Check the Web (CTW); AP Weapons and Explosives; 24/7 Foreign Terrorist Fighters Network (FTF) as well as in European Commission Migration and Home Affairs Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN) activity.“ Counter terrorism officers of the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau participate in multiple capacity building international trainings (CEPOL, Lithuanian Police School). Officers of the Counter Terrorism Division of the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau every year participate in organisation of various trainings/courses in the field of terrorism. Moreover, it should be mentioned that when building the capacities of officers in the field of the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing in 2024, the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau organized training courses on the observation of alleged proceeds of crime and identification of the beneficiary for specialists performing asset investigations; 121 participants attended the event. According to the provisions of the Article 6 of the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, in implementing terrorist financing prevention measures the State Security Department has functions and rights to collect and analyse information related to terrorist financing and provide it to the institutions responsible for the prevention of terrorist financing on the possible criteria for identification of terrorist financing. According to the provisions of the Article 16 and 50 of the Law on Nuclear Energy, the State Security Department, in order to secure state security interests, is tasked to: - collect, analyse and provide information on the threats to the nuclear installations; - screen and provide conclusions about the employees of the nuclear power plant, other nuclear installations and institutions carrying out supervision of these installations (if the State Security Department finds out that the person participates or participated in the activities of a terrorist organization or terrorist group; cooperates or cooperated with the security and intelligence services of foreign states; the person participated, or within the last five years, has participated in activities of an unregistered movement, if such participation poses a threat to the security of nuclear installations, such person cannot be employed at nuclear installations); - participate in drafting and implementing coordinated inter-institutional anti-terrorist and anti-intervention protection plans of the nuclear power plant and other nuclear installations; - The head of the department of the nuclear installation responsible for the physical security of the nuclear installation and his/her deputy (deputies) shall be appointed by the head of the license holder subject to coordination with the State Security Department. According to the provisions of the Law on State Border and its Protection Thereof, the State Border Guard Service (hereinafter –SBGS) performs radiation detection and primary response of the cargos, vehicles and passengers crossing the external state border. In 2012, the Nuclear Security Centre of Excellence (hereinafter –NSCOE) has been established within the SBGS with the goal to develop competent human resources and to contribute to the strengthening of the national
6 nuclear security capabilities. The NSCOE organizes training and exercises for SBGS staff and national stakeholders aiming at prevention, detection and interception of the attempts of the illicit trafficking of the nuclear and radioactive materials. Moreover, NSCOE promotes interagency and international cooperation ensuring information exchange, capacity building and emergency readiness in case of radiological or nuclear events. NSCOE also manages and supervises radiation detection procedures of the border guards, ensuring that necessary safety measures are in place, that handheld equipment are used properly and that decisions regarding the movement of radioactive objects meet the legislation. In cooperation with USA Department of Energy, SBGS (represented by NSCOE) deployed nuclear detection technical infrastructure at international border crossing points (hereinafter – BCP) and ensure its sustainability. NSCOE also provides expertise and supports SBGS capability building to fulfil SBGS functions assigned by the Crisis Management and Public Safety Law, National Emergency Management Plan and National Plan of Public Protection in Case of the Radiological or Nuclear Emergency. NSCOE gained expertise of radiological security for major public events, aiming at reducing the risk of nuclear terrorism and other types of malicious use of nuclear and radiological material, by working in close cooperation with other institutions during the visit of the Catholic Pope, NATO summit, Three Seas Summit and other important events. Having in mind the geopolitical situation in the region, in 2024 SBGS accepted the request from UN UNICRI to host the training event of the project CONTACT – Black Sea. This event raised the awareness about radioactive and nuclear smuggling as well as investigation of such smuggling cases and facilitated international cooperation among experts in this field. After Lithuania restored independence, physical security of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (hereinafter – Ignalina NPP) was dedicated to the Ministry of Defense. In 1996 Lithuanian Government took into consideration the practice of other European countries and assigned the Border Police (under the Ministry of Interior (hereinafter – MOI)) to ensure the security of Ignalina NPP and in 2007 that unit of the Border Police was reorganized into the State Border Guard Service Ignalina NPP Security (Frontier) District (also under MOI). Since 30 May 2019, the physical protection of Ignalina NPP is handed over to the Public Security Service as they are in general responsible for the security of the critical infrastructure in Lithuania. So, for quite a while SBGS had direct responsibility for the security of the strategic nuclear object, as a result NSCOE had to ensure sufficient training of the staff. The Law on Radiation Protection (RP Law) adopted in 1999 (last amended 2020), besides provisions on radiation protection, also establishes the legal basis for the regulation of security of the radioactive sources. General requirements regarding security of radioactive sources are laid down in Article 24 of the RP Law assigning the primary responsibility of the operator to ensure the security of the radioactive sources and obligations to go through the process of trustworthiness check of their workers performing practices involving high activity radioactive sources. Rules on Security of Radioactive Sources, with the exception of radioactive sources used in activities in the field of nuclear energy with sources of ionizing radiation approved by order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania No. V-687, on 7 September 2005 lay down general requirements for the security of radioactive sources for Categories I, II, III and IV, the requirements for a physical protection system, the requirements for the design, implementation and management of a physical protection system and the requirements for assessing of the efficiency of implemented physical protection measures. Description of the procedure for carrying out the threat assessment of radioactive sources adopted by order of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania No. 1249, on 5 of December 2018 regulates the submission of information on threats to radioactive sources to Radiation Protection Centre and the procedures for carrying out and reviewing the threat assessment to radioactive sources by the Radiation Protection Centre. The Rules on the Handling of Orphan Radioactive Sources, Substances of Orphan Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Orphan Nuclear and Fissile Substances and Objects Contaminated with Radioactive Material approved by order of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania No. 918, on 12th of September, 2018 determines the actions of the state and municipal institutions, radioactive waste manager and other legal and natural persons in a case of discovery, identification, suspension, melted or suspecting, that discovered, identified, suspended, melted orphan radioactive sources, objects contaminated with radioactive material, orphan nuclear fuel cycle, orphan nuclear and fissile substances, also consumer products or substances containing radionuclides and detected radioactive sources in or on the body of a person are emitting ionizing radiation, that exceeds the background natural ionizing radiation. The Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom (Basic Safety Standards Directive) and International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) guidance on radioactive sources and the Code of Conduct (2018) are fully transposed to Lithuania's legal bases on radiation protection. Transportation of radioactive material, trading of radiation sources and equipment containing radiation sources, also a final use of such products in the Republic of Lithuania are the activities to be authorized. The general list of authorized undertakings is available and can be freely accessed on the Radiation Protection Centre website or on License Information System managed by the State Enterprise Centre of Registers. The State Register of Sources of Ionizing Radiation and Occupational Exposure stores and maintains data on the import, export, use, and storage of sealed and open radioactive sources, ionizing radiation generators. More detailed information related to radioactive sources can be provided to law enforcement (police, border guard service, etc.) on request.
7 The State Border Guard Service has the function of performing radiation control checks at border crossing points. The border crossing points are equipped with portal monitors (gamma and neutron). Personnel are trained and additionally equipped with hand-held radiation detectors and identifiers. In cases where orphan radioactive sources or contaminated objects are found, they have an obligation to inform the Radiation Protection Centre. Every shipment of radioactive sources must be accompanied by transport permission, which is issued by the Radiation Protection Centre in the case of radioactive materials or by the State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) in the case of nuclear materials being shipped. The Customs Department is responsible for radiation control checks in customs terminals, and in case orphan radioactive sources or contaminated objects are found, they have an obligation to inform the Radiation Protection Centre. Personnel are trained and additionally equipped with hand-held radiation detectors and identifiers. Also, the Radiation Protection Centre has a bilateral treaty with the Customs Department, which provides weekly information about all the sources of ionizing radiation that were imported to or exported from Lithuania. Under the Law on Radiation Protection, compulsory training on radiation protection is necessary for radiation protection officers and workers dealing with ionizing radiation sources. Also, the following have to be trained: government officials (customs officers, State Border Guard Service officers, police officers and fire fighters) and other employees and persons (as workers of metal scrap yards) whose work (activities) are associated with orphan sources of ionizing radiation and the detection of materials contaminated with radionuclides. International cooperation information exchange systems are being used to receive information about found, arrested, or identified illegal radioactive sources and objects: the Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB), managed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); the Unified System for Information Exchange in Incidents and Emergencies (USIE), managed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); and the European Community Urgent Radiological Information Exchange (ECURIE), managed by the European Commission. The Radiation Protection Centre is the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) data center, involved in activities of Realizing the European Network of Biodosimetry (RENEB), participate in the WHO Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness and Assistance Network (WHO REMPAN), and the Biological Dosimetry Network (WHO BioDoseNet), and also participating in the EUropean Radiological Data Exchange Platform (EURDEP) network and continuous exchange of data from the national radiological monitoring network. Since 2022, Lithuania has been a member of the IAEA’s Response and Assistance Network (RANET), a group of states offering international assistance to countries responding to nuclear and radiological emergencies. Radiation Protection Centre specialists constantly take part in international Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency (ConvEx) exercises organized by IAEA's and ECUREX exercises organized by the European Commission. Radiation Protection Centre specialists participate in the international peer reviews regarding the safe transport of radioactive materials, organized by the IAEA and the EU.
2. Stationing of armed forces on foreign territory 2.1. Provide information on stationing of your States armed forces on the territory of other participating States in accordance with freely negotiated agreements as well as in accordance with international law. The Law on International Operations, Military Exercises and other Military Events establishes that the Republic of Lithuania, in recognition of its international obligations, can send its military units to participate in various international military operations abroad. According to the provisions of the Constitution and the Law on Treaties, status of forces agreements in the Republic of Lithuania or in another host country will be subject to ratification by the Parliament. In 2024, Lithuania continued providing military contribution to international operations in order to support peace and stability, prevent conflicts, and fight international terrorism. At the end of the year, up to 167 servicemen participated in twelve international operations and training missions led by EU, UN, NATO in Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. 3. Implementation of other international commitments related to the Code of Conduct 3.1. Provide information on how your State ensures that commitments in the field of arms control, disarmament and confidence- and security-building as an element of indivisible security are implemented in good faith. Lithuania is committed to arms control and CSBMs obligations under regional and bilateral arrangements. Lithuania provides annual reports on implementation of the Vienna Document (VD), including on Exchange of Military Information (according to the Chapter I of the VD), on Defence Planning (according to the Chapter II of the VD), as well as other
8 OSCE related agreements such as GEMI (Global Exchange of Military Information). Lithuania also participates in the implementation of the VD by conducting specified area inspections and evaluation visits abroad and accepting them from other participating States. Due to Belarus’ support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Lithuania has suspended the implementation of bilateral agreement with Belarus as additional measures for ensuring regional security and stability to increase confidence between the countries and their military structures. Lithuania is a party to a number of the arms control, disarmament and WMD non-proliferation treaties and arrangements, inter alia, the Convention on the Prohibition and Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Australia Group, Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects and its Additional Protocols, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti- Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the Open Skies Treaty, the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and others. Regarding conventional arms export control, Lithuania is a party to the Wassenaar Arrangement, UN Arms Trade Treaty, and EU Common Position on Arms Exports 2008/944/CFSP and actively participates in the EU Council Working Group COARM. Lithuania supports harmonization of export control within the EU and with its partners, as well as universalization and implementation of the UN Arms Trade Treaty. According to Article 7 of the Law on Control of Weapons and Ammunition, all weapons, weapon accessories and ammunition which are prohibited by international agreements of the Republic of Lithuania shall be prohibited in the Republic of Lithuania. The following provisions of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania criminalize activities that are contrary to Lithuania’s commitments in the field of arms control and disarmament: Article 112. Use of Prohibited Means of Warfare A person who, in violation of treaties to which the Republic of Lithuania is a party or universally accepted international practices regarding means of warfare or methods of warfare, orders the use of or uses in hostilities prohibited means of warfare or methods of warfare is punishable by imprisonment for a term from three to ten years. Article 253. Unauthorized Possession of Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives or Explosive Materials 1. A person who, without an authorization, produces, acquires, stores, carries, transports, forwards or handles a firearm, ammunition, explosives or explosive materials shall be punished by a fine or by restriction of liberty or by arrest or by imprisonment for a term of up to five years. 2. A person who, without an authorization, produces, acquires, stores, carries, transports, forwards or handles at least three firearms, the ammunition, explosives or explosive materials of a large explosive power or in a large quantity is punishable by imprisonment for a term of four up to eight years. 3. A legal entity shall also be held liable for the acts provided for in this Article. Article 253(1). Unauthorized Intermediation in the Transfer of Military Equipment 1. A person who, without an authorization, acts as an intermediary in transferring military equipment to a state non- Member State of the European Union shall be punished by a fine or by restriction of liberty or by arrest or by imprisonment for a term of up to three years. 2. A legal entity shall also be held liable for an act provided for in this Article. Article 253(2) Smuggling of firearms, ammunition, explosives, explosives or strategic goods 1. A person who, without submitting to customs control or otherwise avoiding it or without a permit, transported or sent a firearm, ammunition, explosives, explosives or strategic goods across the state border of the Republic of Lithuania, is punishable by a fine or by restriction of liberty or imprisonment for up to six years. 2. A person who, without submitting to customs control or otherwise avoiding it or without a permit, transported or sent at least three firearms, high explosive power or a large amount of ammunition, explosives or explosive materials across the state border of the Republic of Lithuania, is punishable by imprisonment from four to ten years. 3. A legal entity shall also be held liable for the acts provided for in this Article. Article 257(1). Production of Installations for the Production of Explosive Materials, Explosives or Radioactive Materials or Development or Distribution of Production Technologies or Specifications Thereof 1. A person who unlawfully produces, stores, transports, transfers or handles machinery or other installations directly intended or adapted for the production of explosive materials, explosives or radioactive materials or unlawfully develops or distributes technologies or specifications of the production of explosive materials, explosives or radioactive materials
9 shall be punished by a fine or by arrest or by imprisonment for a term of up to four years. 2. A legal entity shall also be held liable for the acts provided for in this Article. Lithuania has implemented electronic register for tracing legal firearms in civil circulation from its manufacture or entry to the country until their destroying or exporting from Lithuania. Such a preventing measure helps to trace all firearms kept by manufacturers, dealers and civilians. The same database is also used for issuing firearms licenses. Lithuania has moved towards electronic gun permits. Amendments to the Law on Control of Weapons and Ammunition enable electronic permits for the possession and carrying of weapons. This streamlines the process and reduces the need for physical documents. It is the most effective way to control, manage and trace weapons and ammunition kept by dealers and civilians. According to legal acts of Lithuania arms dealers have the obligation to provide information on imported, purchased, collected, transferred, sold or exported firearms to the police only by using electronic way through the official police website. It is required to identify the dealer who provide information this way. The dealer of firearms and police officer use the same database for providing and receiving information on firearms. There is no need for people who wish to purchase firearms from a dealer of firearms to go to a police station after purchasing firearm for registration procedure of firearm, because purchased firearm is registered according to information, which was received by electronic way from dealer of firearm. 3.2. Provide information on how your State pursues arms control, disarmament and confidence- and security-building measures with a view to enhancing security and stability in the OSCE area. Implementation of CSBMs under Vienna Document (VD-11) and Open Skies Treaty (OST): According to the Chapter IV (Contacts) of the VD, Lithuanian arms control inspectors participated in the visits to air bases, military facilities and demonstration of new types of major weapon and equipment systems in Sweden, Portugal, Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg. According to the Chapter VI (Observation of Certain Military Activities) of the VD, Lithuanian arms control inspectors observed the certain military activities - exercises: SPRINGSTORM-24 (Estonia), Dragoon-24 (Poland) and Namiejs-24 (Latvia). According to the Chapter IX (Compliance and Verification) of the VD, Lithuania conducted the Specified Area inspection to Ireland and Turkmenistan. Lithuania participated in the Estonian-led Specified Area inspection to Azerbaijan and the United States-led inspection to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Lithuania did not receive any CSBMs activities according to the Chapter IX from other participating States in 2024. In addition, Lithuania neither received nor conducted any Open Skies missions in 2024. Section II: Intra-State Elements
1. National planning and decision-making process 1.1. What is the national planning and decision-making process in determining/approving military posture and defence expenditures in your State? All decisions concerning the Lithuanian defence policy and planning, as well as development of the Lithuanian Armed Forces are made by the democratically elected civil authorities. The major issues of national defence are discussed in and coordinated by the National Defence Council, which consists of the President of Lithuania, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Parliament, the Minister of National Defence and the Chief of Defence. The Council is headed by the President of Lithuania. The President is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Decisions concerning mobilization, declaration of the state of war, the use of Armed Forces and defence against armed aggression are made by the President and the Parliament. Decisions concerning peacetime deployments of the Armed Forces are approved by the President. The long-term development plans of the National Defence System (NDS), as well as budgetary appropriations for the Ministry of National Defence are approved by the Parliament. The ten-year NDS Development Programme is based on the National Security Strategy and indicates long-term directions for the development of the NDS. The Programme for 2019–2028 was adopted in December 2018. Review of this programme has been initiated to reflect the changes in the security situation and update the development plans of the Lithuanian Armed Forces as well as other elements of the National Defence System. The Parliament also exercises parliamentary oversight over the NDS. Moreover, the Parliament approves the principal structure of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and establishes the limiting numbers of the military personnel and statutory civil servants to fill this structure, as well as sets the limits of military and civilian personnel participating in international operations in specific regions. Information on the national defence policy and budgetary allocations for defence is available to the public. In 2020, the new Law on Strategic Planning introduced new elements in the state strategic planning. The strategic goals and objectives are defined by the National Progress Strategy, implemented through the National Progress Plan, setting
10 development objectives up to the year 2030 in all areas of responsibility of the Government, which also includes the strategic objectives to be achieved in the National Defence System. The Government is responsible for the oversight and monitoring of the progress achieved. The Ministry of National Defence (MoND) has a central role in the defence policy-making and defence management. The Guidelines of the Minister of Defence are aimed at ensuring effective functioning of the National Defence System. As the new Minister of National Defence was appointed in 2025, the Guidelines for the years 2025 – 2028 will be presented later this year. The document establishes priorities for the development of the NDS and general provisions of the future commitments related to the membership in NATO and the EU and international cooperation. The Lithuanian MoND conducts the resource based defence capability planning process, which results in the annually updated 10-year National Defence System Planning Guide. This long-term planning tool lists major National Defence System development projects to be implemented to achieve the objectives set in the strategic planning documents. Strategic Activity Plan is a short-term planning tool, which details the planning objectives and tasks for the 3-year timeframe and is linked to the budget planning and execution. In the approved State Budget for 2023 total defence expenditure of the Lithuanian MoND amounted to 3.11 % of GDP or 2 426 million EUR.
1.2. How does your State ensure that its military capabilities take into account the legitimate security concerns of other States as well as the need to contribute to international security and stability? Lithuania lives up to its international obligations, implements its international, regional, and bilateral commitments, and participates in the modernization of the Vienna Document process. Lithuania respects international law and international rules-based system, supports the measures that are strengthening transparency, raising predictability, and ensuring stability and security. From 1994 onwards Lithuania actively takes part in international operations, thus providing a practical military contribution to international security and stability. Also, see Section I paragraph 2.1. and 3.2 and Section II paragraph 1.1. 2. Existing structures and processes 2.1. What are the constitutionally established procedures for ensuring democratic political control of military, paramilitary and internal security forces, intelligence services and the police? Democratic civilian control of the Armed Forces is one of the major principles of the development of the National Defence System. It is embodied in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, the Law on the Basics of National Security, the National Security Strategy (new version 2021), the Law on National Defence System Organization and Military Service, the Law on Principal Structure of the Armed Forces as well as in other legal acts, decision-making process and national defence management arrangements. All senior MoND officials – the Minister, the Vice-Ministers and the Chancellor of the Ministry of the National Defence must be civilians. The Seimas (the Parliament): • considers the programme of the Government, including security and defence issues, presented by the Prime Minister and decides whether to give assent to it; • supervises the activities of the Government, and may express no-confidence in individual Ministers; • approves the State budget and supervises the implementation thereof; • imposes direct administration and martial law, declares state of emergency, announces mobilization, and adopts decisions to use the Armed Forces when the need arises to defend the State or to fulfil the international obligations of the Republic of Lithuania; • adopts a law establishing the organization of National Defence System and military service; • adopts laws that approve the Disciplinary Statutes of the Armed Forces, the Statute on Use of Military Force; • approves the National Security Strategy and the Long-term State Programmes for the Strengthening of National Security, including the National Defence System Development Programme; • approves the principal structure of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and establishes the limiting numbers to the following types of military personnel: professional military service personnel , mandatory initial military service personnel (conscripts), National Defence Voluntary Force service personnel and other volunteer non-permanent military service personnel, active reserve service personnel participating in refreshment training, and cadets. Furthermore, the law sets limits to the number of civilians working in the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the number of senior officers of each rank. The Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defence deals with national security and defence matters.
11 Together with the Foreign Affairs Committee, it holds regular hearings on Lithuania’s participation in international operations. The Committee also discusses proposals and presents conclusions on the appointment of military attachés and representatives in the military missions of the Republic of Lithuania to foreign states. The Parliament has established the Commission for Parliamentary Scrutiny of Criminal Intelligence. It is a permanent Commission responsible for execution of the parliamentary control over criminal intelligence operations. The main tasks of the commission are: • exercising control over the protection of the constitutional rights and freedoms while executing criminal intelligence operations; • supervision that the activities of the subjects of criminal intelligence correspond to the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Lithuania; • analysis of the legal acts regulating criminal intelligence activities and their compatibility to the laws. According to the Constitution, the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the State and has the following powers: • appoints and dismisses, with the approval of the Parliament, the Chief of Defence and the Director of the State Security Department; • confers the highest military ranks; • adopts, in the event of an armed attack which threatens State sovereignty or territorial integrity, decisions concerning defence against such armed aggression, the imposition of martial law as well as mobilization, and submit these decisions to the next sitting of the Parliament for approval; • declares a state of emergency according to the procedure and in cases established by law, and present this decision to the next sitting of the Parliament for approval; Under the Law on the Organization of the National Defence System and Military Service, the President and the Parliament issue resolutions, make decisions on mobilization, declaring a state of war, use of wartime Armed Forces and defence against armed aggression in accordance with procedures established by the Constitution and the Law on Basics of National Security, other legal acts. The President of the Republic of Lithuania approves deployment areas of the Armed Forces in the peacetime, the territorial boundaries of their maneuvering activities and the resolutions decision on transferring military units to another deployment area. Under the Statute of the Use of Military Force, in case of an armed incident of local nature or violation of state border, the President can authorize the use of force in a defined territory for a specific period of time. The decision of the President must be submitted for the approval of the Parliament. According to the Constitution, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania: • protects the inviolability of the territory of the Republic of Lithuania and guarantees state security and public order; • executes laws, the resolutions of the Parliament on the implementation of laws, as well as the decrees of the President of the Republic; • co-ordinates the activities of ministries and other establishments of the Government; • prepares a draft State Budget and submits it to the Parliament; executes the State Budget and submits to the Parliament a report on the execution of the budget; • prepares draft laws and presents them to the Parliament for consideration; • shall establish diplomatic ties and maintain relations with foreign states and international organizations. Following the long-term National Defence System Development Programme, approved by the Parliament, under the relevant legislation the Government or its authorized institution issues resolutions, makes decisions on acquisition of armaments, and development of supply support facilities within the National Defence System. Under the Constitution, the Government, the Minister of National Defence and the Commander of the Armed Forces Chief of Defence are accountable to the Parliament for the command and management of the Armed Forces. Persons performing active military service or alternative service, as well as officers of the national defence system, the police and the interior, non- commissioned officers, re-enlistees, and other paid officials of paramilitary and security services who have not retired to the reserve may not be Members of the Parliament or members of municipal councils. They may not hold elected or appointed office in the State civil service, nor may they take part in the activities of political parties and organizations. The Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union is state-sponsored, voluntary paramilitary organisation. It operates by the Constitution of Lithuania, the Law on the Basics of National Security, the Law on Lithuanian Riflemen's Union (last amendments came into force on 1 January 2025), the Law on the Armed Defence and Resistance to Aggression, and other legal acts that form the legal basis for the activities of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union. According to the Law on Lithuanian
12 Riflemen’s Union, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania with provision of the Prime Minister and approval of the Parliamentary National Security and Defence Committee and the General Assembly of the Union appoints the Commander of the organization. The Commander of the Union is subordinate to the Minister of National Defence and accountable to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the General Assembly of the Union. With provision of the Prime Minister, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania has the right to suspend or recall the Commander of the Union. The Commander of the Union submits annual reports on the activity of the Riflemen’s Union to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, the Parliamentary National Security and Defence Committee. Reports on the activity of the Riflemen Union are submitted to the General Assembly of the Union too. The Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union has a Strategy, which highlights the organisation’s main goals, development and activities. The Commander of the Union is responsible for drafting the Strategy and with endorsement of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania it is submitted to the General Assembly for approval. The latest Strategy (2024-2035) of Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union came into force on 16 March 2024, the Strategy must be renewed every 5 years, however depending on geopolitical situation amendments may be done sooner. The Law on Intelligence stipulates that the State Security Department is accountable to the Parliament and the President. The President with the approval of the Parliament appoints and dismisses the Director of the State Security Department. The Second Investigations Department under the Ministry of National Defence – body responsible for intelligence and counter-intelligence activities – is subordinated to the Minister of National Defence and accountable to the Parliament, the Government and the President of the Republic of Lithuania. The Minister of Interior is authorized to exercise control over the Police activities. According to the Internal Service Statute, the officers of the interior institutions are not allowed to be members of political parties or to participate in any other political activity. Officers cannot take duties/position as political appointees. The Police Commissioner General has established the Procedure of internal control of police bodies. The Police Commissioner General is appointed for a term of five years by the Government following the recommendation of the Minister of the Interior and is dismissed by the Government as well. The Police Commissioner General is directly subordinate to the Minister of the Interior and is accountable to the Government. According to the Internal Service Statute, the police officers are not allowed to be members of political parties or to participate in any other political activity. 2.2. How is the fulfilment of these procedures ensured, and which constitutionally established authorities/institutions are responsible for exercising these procedures? In 2021, the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Intelligence Controllers established the legal framework for the independent external oversight of intelligence services. The Intelligence Controllers shall carry out the investigation in the event of information (complaints or other), indicating that intelligence services and (or) intelligence officers may be abusing their powers or potentially violating human rights and freedoms or legitimate interests, or potentially violating the requirements for the processing of personal data processed for national security or defence purposes, or otherwise potentially may violate human rights and freedoms in the field of public administration. The Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Lithuania supervises the legality of activities by all Governmental officials. Administrative courts are established to protect the rights of individuals against unauthorized actions of public bodies and officials. The Intelligence Ombudspersons investigate complaints concerning the abuse of office of government officials and has a right to apply for a court ruling regarding their dismissal. 2.3. What are the roles and missions of military, paramilitary and security forces, and how does your State control that such forces act solely within the constitutional framework? The Law on the Organization of National Defence System and Military Service stipulates that the Lithuanian Armed Forces protect State’s sovereignty, territory and airspace; defend against aggression or other armed attack and implement military tasks according to international commitments of the Republic of Lithuania. The Lithuanian Armed Forces consist of the Land Force, the Air Force, the Navy and the Special Operations Forces. The Land Force is responsible for military protection and defence of the State land territory. The Air Force’s mission is surveillance, control and defence of Lithuanian air space. The Navy is responsible for the surveillance, control and defence of territorial waters, surveillance and control of the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf. In addition, the Navy controls and coordinates search and rescue, pollution containment operations in its responsibility area. The Special Operations Forces are responsible for the special reconnaissance, direct actions and military support. The National Defence Volunteer Force (NDVF) is a part of the Land Force. The NDVF employs a small part of professional soldiers and a large number of volunteers, who do not serve on a regular basis but perform their duties up to 30 days per year in accordance with training programmes. The main goal of NDVF is to prepare for and conduct territorial defence tasks. The NDVF consists of HQ and 6 territorial units. Lithuanian Riflemen's Union implements tasks related to national security and prepares for armed defence and non-violent civic resistance. It contributes to strengthening state defence capabilities, promotes civic and patriotic education, and supports the Police, the State Border Guard Service, the Lithuanian Armed Forces as well as education and civil protection and rescue system institutions. The Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union has its own eligibility rules such as age of admission.
13 To become the Young Riflemen, one must be at least 11 years-old, and their activities consist of patriotic and civic education, summer camps and it is prohibited by law to receive any military training. Members, who are over the age of 18, in addition to patriotic education and preparation for non-violent civic resistance, may prepare for armed State defence and (or) support Lithuanian Armed Forces in case of war and participate in military exercises together with Lithuanian Armed Forces. With regard to the mechanisms to assure that Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union acts solely within the constitutional framework – see Section II paragraph. According to the provisions of the Article 7 of the Law on Intelligence, the objectives of intelligence shall be to forecast and identify risks, dangers and threats arising from abroad and capable of affecting the sovereignty of the State, inviolability and integrity of its territory, constitutional order, interests of the State and its defence and economic power. The objectives of counterintelligence shall be as follows: 1) to forecast, identify and eliminate risks, dangers and threats arising within the Republic of Lithuania and capable of affecting public political and economic processes, also capable of impairing the sovereignty of the State, inviolability and integrity of its territory, constitutional order, interests of the State and its defence and economic power; 2) to identify the activities of foreign intelligence and security institutions and related persons capable of impairing the sovereignty of the State, inviolability and integrity of its territory, constitutional order, interests of the State and its defence and economic power, and eliminate these risks, dangers and threats; 3) to organise and implement the protection of information comprising a state secret or an official secret and control the protection of such information within the Republic of Lithuania and at institutions of the Republic of Lithuania abroad. According to the provisions of the Chapter Five of the Law on Intelligence, the activities of intelligence institutions shall be coordinated by the State Defence Council. The head of an intelligence institution shall report to the State Defence Council on an annual basis and submit draft strategies of activities. Parliamentary scrutiny of intelligence institutions shall be exercised by a Seimas committee specified by the Statute of the Seimas. The Government shall exercise control over intelligence institutions within the remit established by the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Lithuania. Intelligence institutions shall submit to the Prime Minister an annual assessment of risks, dangers and threats to national security and interests of the State and a report on the areas of their activities. Complaints over actions of intelligence officers resulting, when engaged in intelligence and counterintelligence, in violations of human rights or freedoms shall be examined and considered by the Intelligence Ombudspersons. The head of the intelligence institution shall, in organizing internal control of the intelligence institution directed by him, establish the control divisions and adopt legal acts regulating internal control. Audit of intelligence institutions shall be carried out and control of financial operations thereof shall be exercised in accordance with the procedure laid down by laws and other legal acts. Intelligence institutions shall, on an annual basis, publish unclassified activity reports and assessments of threats to national security. 3. Procedures related to different forces personnel 3.1. What kind of procedures for recruitment and call-up of personnel for service in your military, paramilitary and internal security forces does your State have? a) Military recruitment The Constitution stipulates that defence of the State of Lithuania against a foreign armed attack shall be the right and duty of each citizen of the Republic of Lithuania. Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania must perform military or alternative national defence service according to the procedure established by law. The Military Conscription Law establishes two options for conscription: 1. Conscript Service (9 months); 2. Junior Officers’ Commander Training (3 years part-time service) for higher education students and graduates. The Parliament approves the limit numbers of the military personnel. In 2015, Lithuania reintroduced Conscript Service which was extended for an indefinite period starting 2016. 18-38 years old men and women are encouraged to sign up for Conscript Service on voluntary basis. If are not enough of volunteers to achieve the required number of conscripts, the remaining number is chosen using the random selection method from the pool of 18-23 years old men group which are eligible for mandatory call up. To ensure transparency and objectivity of the process, drawing up of the conscription list is observed by representatives of NGOs. In 2024, the intake of conscripts was about 4000. The Junior Officers’ Commander Training was launched in 2012. The training is voluntary and open to 18 – 32 years old higher education students and graduates. In addition to higher education, students receive basic military training and officer training at the Military Academy and the Armed Forces School where they participate in regular activities during academic year and extended training activities during the summer period. After successfully completing the training,
14 participants can enter professional military service or become reserve lieutenants. The Platoon Leader Course is designed to train military personnel having a Bachelor’s degree and required military background. Having completed the course, students are commissioned as Second Lieutenants and assigned as a platoon leader in active duty. The Officer Specialist Basic Military Training Course provides the specialists of specific fields with basic military training for an officer rank allowing them to hold medical, legal or financial positions or serve as chaplains in the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The National Defence Volunteer Force is a territorial defence force comprised of citizens who are trained as soldiers during weekends. Servicemen are on duty 1 – 2 weekends per month, 30 days per year. Lithuanian citizens aged 18 to 60 are accepted. The Professional military service is a contract based continuous military service. Lithuanian citizens from 18 to 40 years old (officers/non-commission officers up to 56, specialists up to 60) with prior basic military training can sign up. b) Recruitment for internal service The requirements for those applying for the internal service are set out in the Statute of the Internal Service. A person applying for internal service must: 1) be a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania and speak the Lithuanian language; 2) be at least 18 years old and no more than 60 years old; 3) have an impeccable reputation; 4) be loyal to the state of Lithuania; 5) have at least a secondary education; 6) to be in such a state of health that allows performing duties in the internal service system; health status requirements are determined by the Ministers of Internal Affairs and Health Protection; 7) to be physically fit enough to perform duties in the internal service system; the physical fitness requirements of officials are determined by the Minister of the Interior, in coordination with the Ministers of Justice and Finance. Persons applying for internal service in statutory institutions under the control of the Minister of the Interior must also have graduated from a statutory vocational training institution under the control of the Minister of the Interior and obtained a qualification, or have graduated from the Lithuanian Higher Education Institution (hereinafter referred to as the higher education school) and obtained a higher education qualification through the referral referred to in Article 10 of the Statute of the Internal Service, or must have completed the introductory training courses of a statutory vocational training institution in the area of administration of the Minister of Internal Affairs. The Minister or the heads of central statutory institutions authorized by him may establish additional requirements for persons who wish to study at a statutory vocational training institution or higher education institution through the referral referred to in Article 10 of the Statute of the Internal Service, or who apply to serve in certain departments of statutory institutions. These additional requirements are associated with a person's intellectual, physical, and practical abilities, moral and psychological suitability for internal service or suitability for duties in certain departments of statutory bodies. According to Article 15 of the Statute of the Internal Service, a person may not be admitted to the internal service: 1. who does not meet the requirements of an impeccable reputation established by the Statute of the Internal Service; 2. who is suspected or accused of committing a criminal act; 3. who provides information about himself or his private interests, knowing that it is incorrect; 4. who is not loyal to the state of Lithuania; 5. who is appointed to a position in a statutory institution where his spouse, cohabitant (partner), close relative (close relatives are considered direct relatives up to the second degree inclusive (parents (adoptive) and children (adopted), grandparents and grandchildren) and lateral relatives of the second degree of the line (brothers (half-brothers) and sisters (half-sisters) (hereinafter - the person's close relative)) or a person related to the official by sister-in-law ties (sister-in-law is a relationship between one spouse and relatives of the second spouse (stepson, stepdaughter, stepfather, stepmother, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in- law) and between relatives of both spouses (husband's brother or sister and wife's brother or sister, husband's father or mother and wife's father or mother) (hereinafter - a person related to the official by sister-in-law)) if they the current position would be related to direct subordinate relations; 6. when the circumstances specified in Clauses 1, 4, 5 and 6 of Article 23, Part 1 of the Statute of the Internal Service exist (prohibitions: 1) to be elected (appointed) as a member of the company's body, except for cases where the official is a member of the collegial body of a state- or municipality-managed company or its subsidiary company duties of a member, as well as receiving a salary or other benefits for the activities of a member of a corporate body, except for cases established by law; 4) to work in companies, institutions, organizations and receive wages or salary for this work or engage in other activities, if this causes a conflict of interests, creates prerequisites for using the service for private interests, discredits the authority of the internal service, prevents the official from properly performing the functions specified in his job description, as well as if it is work in those companies, institutions, organizations in relation to which the official has authoritative powers or whose activities he controls, supervises or for which he makes any other decisions, and if there are
15 other circumstances due to which the officials cannot work in another job and receive work for it salary or wages; 5) hold more than one civil servant position; to be a member of political organizations, to participate in their activities); 7. about which other verified compromising data is found.
Upon receipt of data that constitutes a basis for believing that a person's service in the internal service system would be incompatible with the interests of the national security of the Republic of Lithuania, or when other verified potentially compromising data about this person is found, a decision on the suitability of the person for the internal service, after evaluating the received data, is taken by the central statutory bodies head of the institution. 3.2. What kind of exemptions or alternatives to military service does your State have? According to the Constitution, citizens can apply for an alternative national defence service. The Law on the Basics of National Security stipulates that the alternative national defence service is an alternative to general military service as an auxiliary service for those individuals, whose religious or pacifist convictions do not allow them to serve bearing arms. The purpose of this service is to develop citizens and provide them with an opportunity to contribute, in alternative ways, to national defence and enhancing of national security. The Ministry of National Defence organizes this service for the purposes of national protection and defence. 3.3. What are the legal and administrative procedures to protect the rights of all forces personnel as well as conscripts? The Law on the Organization of the National Defence System and Military Service regulates that Institutions of the National Defence System must act in accordance with the Constitution, laws and other legal acts, including international agreements, Lithuania is a party to. A serviceman’s civil rights - the protection of his private life, guarantee to the place of service, freedom to participate in associations, choice of residence and free migration, inviolability of the official (service) apartment, freedom to methods of meetings, group petitions, dissemination of information and expression of the opinion - are limited by the laws and the approved statutes to the extent necessary for the conduct of the servicemen duties, and to ensure military obedience and objectives of the service. A serviceman is guaranteed the freedom of thought, religion, and conscience. The human dignity of every serviceman must be respected. Any person serving in the Armed Forces cannot be compelled to serve any other person or a group of persons other than those conducting his/her official duties. A serviceman, whose guaranteed rights have been violated, may seek redress from his immediate superior or the Inspector General of the Armed Forces. The aforementioned persons must immediately investigate the facts and take actions necessary to eliminate the violations. The Service Statute provides that if a serviceman gets an order, by implementing which he would break an oath or make a clear criminal act, he shall not carry out the order and shall urgently address the immediate superior. If the immediate superior issued this order, the serviceman shall address the next standing senior superior. According to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania, a serviceman who unlawfully demands that another serviceman behave according to his instruction or who humiliates another serviceman by using mental coercion shall be punished by arrest or by imprisonment for a term of up to two years. A serviceman who humiliates or terrorizes another serviceman by using physical violence or a weapon shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of up to five years. A serviceman, who commits the abovementioned acts, where this causes serious consequences, shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of four up to eight years. Further, a serviceman who issues a clearly unlawful order or forces another serviceman to execute such an order, also a serviceman who executes a clearly unlawful order, where this causes serious consequences, shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of two up to eight years. 4. Implementation of other political norms, principles, decisions and international humanitarian law 4.1. How does your State ensure that International Humanitarian Law and Law of War are made widely available, e.g., through military training programmes and regulations? Lithuania has ratified all major international humanitarian law (IHL) instruments. Since 2000, the Ministry of National Defence coordinates implementation of IHL. The Commission on the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law was established in 2001 as an advisory body to the Minister of National Defence, coordinates dissemination of international humanitarian law and related topics. During pre-mission training, these topics are also introduced to the militaries selected for international operations. The Military Academy has a number of training programmes on officers’ professional ethics, international law, international humanitarian law and other international rules governing the armed conflict. The subject of international humanitarian
16 law is also included in the curriculum of the Armed Forces School, all levels of police personnel; it is also an optional course in the Law faculties of the leading universities as well as in the Institute of International Relations and Political Science. National Society of the Red Cross (RC) provides courses on the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, International Committee of the Red Cross, RC Emblem, and the Lithuanian RC to the military leaving for international operations. The Society also participates in providing information and organizing courses, seminars, and workshops on international humanitarian law to the representatives of the armed forces and general public. Together with other relevant information on International Humanitarian Law, texts of international agreements and other international instruments of international humanitarian law are available through online sources, in the libraries of military and civil establishments. All information related to implementation of the international humanitarian law in Lithuania is placed on the website of the responsible authority – the Ministry of National Defence (www.kam.lt). The texts of international humanitarian law documents ratified by the Republic of Lithuania can also be accessed at the Register of Legal Acts website: (http://www.e- tar.lt/portal/en/index). 4.2. What has been done to ensure that armed forces personnel are aware of being individually accountable under national and international law for their actions? The Law on the Organization of the National Defence System and Military Service stipulates that "Nobody shall give a serviceman or any element of the Armed Forces the order which breaks an oath, which is clearly unlawful, or which violates all generally accepted principles and standards of international law. A superior officer who issues such an order shall be prosecuted under the law". It also states that if a clearly unlawful order is issued, under the law a serviceman shall not follow the order and shall report it to the superior officer to the leader who has issued the unlawful order. In the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania, a separate chapter is dedicated to crimes against humanity and war crimes. The person would be criminally liable for genocide (Article 99), treatment of persons prohibited under International Law (Article 100), killing of persons protected under International Law (Article 101), deportation of civilians of an occupied state or transfer of the civilian population of an occupying State (Article 102), causing bodily harm to, torture or other inhuman treatment of persons protected under International Humanitarian Law, violation of norms of international humanitarian law concerning protection of civilians and their property in time of war (Article 103), forcible use of civilians or prisoners of war in the armed forces of the enemy (Article 105), destruction of protected objects or plunder of national valuable properties (Article 106), delay in repatriation of prisoners of war (Article 107), delay in release of interned civilians or impeding repatriation of other civilians (Article 108), unlawful use of the emblem of the Red Cross, Red Crescent, Red Crystal and the United Nations Organization or another universally recognized emblem (sign) or designation (Article 109), aggression (Article 110), prohibited military attack (Article 111), use of prohibited means of warfare (Article 112) and marauding (Article 113). For criminal responsibility related to executing an order – see Section II para. 3.3. 4.3. How does your State ensure that armed forces are not used to limit the peaceful and lawful exercise of human and civil rights by persons as individuals or as representatives of groups nor to deprive them of national, religious, cultural, linguistic or ethnic identity? See above. 4.4. What has been done to provide for the individual service member's exercise of his or her civil rights and how does your State ensure that the country's armed forces are politically neutral? The Law on the Organization of the National Defence System and Military Service regulates that Institutions of the National Defence Services must act in accordance with the Constitution, laws and other legal acts, including international agreements Lithuania is a party to. Servicemen exercise their human rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania. A serviceman’s civil and political rights – the protection of private life, guarantee to the place of service, freedom to participate in associations, choice of residence and free movement, inviolability of the official (service) place of residence, freedom of assembly, group petitions, dissemination of information and expression of the opinion – are limited by the laws and the approved statutes to the extent necessary for the conduct of the servicemen duties, and to ensure military discipline and objectives of the service. Freedom of thought, religion and conscience shall be guaranteed for a serviceman and cannot be restricted. The human dignity of every serviceman must be respected. Any person serving in the Armed Forces cannot be compelled to serve any other person or a group of persons other than those conducting his/her official duties. Active service servicemen are prohibited from participating in political activities including: 1) membership in a political party or a political organization;
17 2) active participation of the servicemen in the meetings or other public actions organized by political parties and political organizations and expressing political convictions or political demands or directly supporting a political party or a political organization; 3) servicemen’s political statements, articles or speeches publicly voicing disagreement with the policy declared and implemented by a democratically elected government of the State (the Seimas, the President of the Republic, the Government) or publicly raising political demands to the government of the State. A serviceman shall terminate his membership and activity in a political party or a political organization upon commencing to initial mandatory or professional military service for the duration of the service. 4) Servicemen may participate in the activities of associations and other non-political alliances and in other non-political activities aiming to foster moral, national, patriotic and civic democratic values, provided that participation in such activities does not interfere with performance of direct duties of a serviceman. Police officers are guided by the Statute of the Internal Service of the Republic of Lithuania. From the initial training to the professional development of officers, emphasis is placed on respect for people and ensuring human rights. 4.5. How does your State ensure that its defence policy and doctrine are consistent with international law? The Constitution stipulates that international treaties ratified by the Parliament are a constituent part of the legal system of the Republic of Lithuania. It also states that in implementing its foreign policy, the Republic of Lithuania shall follow the universally recognized principles and norms of international law. The Constitution, the National Security Strategy, the Law on the Basics of National Security and other legal acts, constituting a foundation of the Lithuanian defence system and defence policy, ensure the respect of the provisions and spirit of the international law.
Section III: Public Access
1. Public access 1.1. How is the public informed about the provisions of the Code of Conduct? There are no specific measures on the information about the Code of Conduct, but the public is being informed about implementation of national measures related to provisions of the Code. 1.2. What additional information related to the Code of Conduct, e.g., replies to the Questionnaire on the Code of Conduct, is made publicly available in your State? All information provided in this report is available in unclassified sources. 1.3. How does your State ensure public access to information related to your State's armed forces? Public access to information is embedded in the Constitution as well as in the Law on Provision of Information to the Public and other legal documents. The public access to information on security and defence cannot be barred except in cases where information is qualified as a state secret. Public information on national defence issues is disseminated by various media means as well as by state institutions. The Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania releases and updates the defence policy and Armed Forces related information on its internet site (www.kam.lt). The texts of all laws related to the national defence policy and Armed Forces can be accessed at the Register of Legal Acts website: (http://www.e-tar.lt). According to the Law on the Basics of National Security, the Government is obliged to submit an annual report to the Parliament on the developments of the National Security System. The Parliament holds a debate on the Report of the Government and adopts a resolution thereof. The National Defence policy and assignments approved by the Parliament must be put on the public record.
18 INFORMATION ON WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY Regarding DECISION No. 5/11 (FSC.DEC/5/11, 13 July, 2011) REFERENCE GUIDE ON THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON THE OSCE CODE OF CONDUCT ON POLITICO-MILITARY ASPECTS OF SECURITY
I. Prevention Lithuanian National Action Plan (NAP) for the Implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution No 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security (hereinafter referred to as “the UNSC Resolution No 1325 (2000)”) was adopted in December 2011 and renewed on 22 June 2020. The NAP echoes the objectives outlined in the UNSC Resolution No 1325 (2000) and foresees specific activities to be implemented in this regard. The NAP is an important tool in raising awareness among the general public on the equal opportunities for women to take part in the prevention of conflicts and rebuilding peace, to involve women in decision-making at all levels, as well as in peacekeeping operations and missions both in the civilian and military fields. The NAP also provides for the training of the experts taking part in the operations and missions on women’s rights and other matters related to the UNSC Resolution No 1325 (2000). A number of state institutions are involved in the implementation of the NAP, namely the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the MoND, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, the Ministry of Health, and the Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in charge of coordinating the implementation of the NAP. Most of the measures in the NAP provided by the MoND do not require additional financial resources, but for several measures there is additional funding allocated annually. These measures include the distribution of educational publications, participation in international expert meetings on issues of the UNSC Resolution No 1325 (2000) agenda, and training of soldiers or civilians of the National Defense System (NDS) during which they are provided with knowledge and skills to work on gender equality issues and issues of the UNSC Resolution No 1325 (2000). The legislation of the Republic of Lithuania provides for the application of principles of non-discrimination of persons on the basis of ethnicity, nationality, race, origin, social status, beliefs, attitudes, religion, sexual orientation and gender. The non-discrimination principles are also established in the Lithuanian Constitution and other legal acts, including the Law on Equal Opportunities and the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, which forbids any form of discrimination, including harassment and sexual harassment. The 2023-2025 action plan for equal opportunities for women and men was adopted on 30 January 2023. This action plan aims to promote gender equality, to eliminate the status differences of women and men, to inform the public about measures to promote equal opportunities for women and men, to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation in the field of equal opportunities for women and men. One of the objectives of the Plan’s measures are to improve the state of statistics on gender equality in positions of power (for example, collect and publish statistics on the number of women in diplomacy at various levels). A new Action Plan for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men 2026-2028 is currently being prepared. It is planned that the objectives of this plan will be to increase equality between women and men in the labor market; promote the proportional participation of women and men in decision-making and in the highest positions; improve the situation of women and girls from vulnerable groups in society; promote the sharing of unpaid care work; encourage individuals to take care of their health; ensure women's empowerment and gender equality in light of global geopolitical challenges; prevent and combat gender stereotypes; promote the integration of the gender principle into various policy areas. Lithuania's national system combating gender-based violence is built on three key elements: protection, support, and prevention. Lithuania’s revised law on Protection of Domestic Violence, which came into force on 1 of July 2023, does not exclude any person from receiving protection, but emphasizes that domestic violence disproportionately affects women. The priority is to protect victims or persons at risk of any kind of violence (physical, sexual, economic or psychological). Lithuania’s legislation contains provisions for an emergency barring order, which is issued to the person posing a risk of domestic violence, thus providing an immediate protection for person at risk. The revised law on Protection of Domestic Violence also established a clear role for national and local authorities interacting with each other in the process of protection and support. Healthcare and education professionals have an obligation to identify and refer a person at risk of domestic violence to the specialized comprehensive assistance centers which provide support for the victims. Proper attention is given to municipalities and their functions in addressing the problem of domestic violence. The new law establishes a strong mechanism of inter-institutional cooperation, regulated on both the national and the local levels. Cooperation between the police, specialized comprehensive assistance centers, child protection services, healthcare institutions, representatives of municipalities and other institutions creates a more efficient exchange of information about victims or persons at risk of domestic violence and helps to effectively provide to a person the needed protection, services, and support. The revised law established clear criteria for specialized comprehensive assistance centers - organizations providing help
19 and support services for victims or persons at risk of domestic violence. Currently, Lithuania has a system of 25 organizations which meet the criteria to qualify as assistance centers. These organizations provide various support: information, the empowerment of victims, counselling, specialized psychological and legal assistance, preparation of legal documents, accompanying a person to state institutions, cooperation with the law enforcement authorities, amongst other functions. The Ministry of Social Security and Labour, with the help of social partners, has also prepared a program for changing the behavior of the potential perpetrators of domestic violence. The Ministry of Social Security and Labour finances non-governmental organizations working with this target group in accordance with the aforementioned program. In response to current events and the geopolitical situation, we have set new tasks in the plan of the “Women, Peace, Security” working group, which is supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ensuring the inclusion of women's rights NGOs in preparing for crisis situations; training for municipalities; integration of foreigners. In order to strengthen the prevention of sexual violence and the quality of the assistance and services provided, since July 2023, the Ministry of Social Security and Labor has been financing a project of non-governmental organizations - the National Information Center on Sexual Violence “Speak-up” has been established, providing information about assistance options for people who have been victims of sexual violence or are at risk of it, their relatives, and providing methodological support to specialists working with victims. 100 thousand euros are allocated annually for the activities of the Center “Speak-up”. In order to achieve gender balance in decision-making, a new measure will be included in the Government Programme Implementation Plan – it is planned to analyze policy areas where quotas or the application of gender representation proportions need to be established and to regulate this with the necessary legal acts. After the analysis is completed, amendments may be made to the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men. Transposing the provisions of the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating violence against women and domestic violence into national law will require improving the system of assistance for victims of sexual violence. The Ministry of Social Security and Labour is developing a mechanism to include Specialized Assistance Centers in the provision of secondary assistance and to strengthen prevention. Since 2010, gender perspective was integrated into military planning processes at tactical and operational levels, as well as in all exercises conducted by the Lithuanian Armed Forces. There are no gender-based limitations with respect to military service in the NDS, as both women and men have equal rights to serve in all services and can occupy any position in the Lithuanian Armed Forces. There are no admission quotas with respect to the type of service or military training and studies. In the process of selection of military personnel for deployment to international operations no gender-based criteria are applied. Exemption of women’s duty for conscription is traditionally based on biological and physical differences between men and women; therefore, different physical readiness and other requirements have been established by laws. In this regard, not only women’s exemption from compulsory military service but also different requirements for physical readiness tests, as well as other guarantees (e.g. women are granted pregnancy and delivery leave; in the event of war, state of emergency or mobilisation pregnant women cannot be called up for service, and the like) have been established in the NDS. The subject of gender equality (including the UNSC Resolution No 1325 (2000) is integrated into the study process of General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, the Division General Stasys Raštikis Lithuanian Armed Forces School and the General Adolfas Ramanauskas Warfare Training Centre). In 2024, representatives of the Defence Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces delivered lectures on the UNSC Resolution No. 1325 (2000) and on the requirements of other related resolutions and implementation measures to the soldiers on official missions/international operations in the General Adolfas Ramanauskas Warfare Training Centre of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and in military units. During the lectures, the main differences in cultural, social and economic requirements for women and men and boys and girls, possible outcomes of different situations were discussed. The participants were familiarised with the importance of gender aspects in international operations, the main terms and definitions, the situation of women and children in the area of military conflicts and in the district of a specific operation, the activities of peacekeepers, which could change the situation. Considerable attention is paid to the sexual harassment and sexual exploitation issues. It is stressed that in accordance with the Zero Tolerance policy these offenses might be subject to dismissal from the military. Pre-deployment training lectures were given to servicemen preparing for international operations (missions) in, Mali, Iraq, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Mozambique, Kosovo, Turkey and the Mediterranean Region. The curricula of the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania include the subject-matters of gender equality in different study programmes as follows: • All officer cadets have a course on Ethics in their study programmes, which develop their professional officer ethic competence, including the responsibility and ability to respect and implement gender equality principles in their work. The course on Ethics includes theoretical focus and practical application of dialogical relation to the other person as other (without any gender prejudice).
20 • Lecturers of foreign languages teach cadets gender-neutral terminology of the English language in BA studies. • 3rd year cadets of BA study programmes have an International Humanitarian Law subject that addresses a wide spectrum of gender-related legal issues, including effects of modern combat methods, responsibilities of officers to civilian population of occupied territories and to civilians in internment and prisoners of war. • Public Security and Political Science studies programmes (BA) comprise public security subjects that thoroughly investigate the gender dimension in international relations and in formation and implementation of security and defence policy. In 2024, the L2 level career course - Vytautas the Great Army Command and Staff Officers Course was conducted. One of the aims of this course is to introduce gender perspective in military operations to OF2-OF3 officers participating at the officers’ career course. Participants in this course are from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The institutions of the NDS and their units took part in different national and international seminars, conferences and other events related to the application of the provisions of the UNSC Resolution No. 1325 (2000). Gender perspective is a part of OPLAN CIMIC annex. Gender dimension as a part of civilian life is included into CIMIC assessment reports. All military commanders are introduced to NATO Bi-SC Directive 040-001 „Integrating Gender Perspective into the NATO Command Structure“ II. Participation Men and women serving in the Lithuanian Armed Forces receive equal pay and have equal social guarantees. Promotion opportunities are the same for both women and men. Promotion rules are based on seniority and professional qualification. There are no legitimate leadership restrictions for female officers. In 2023, women accounted for 11.2% of the Lithuanian military personnel. In 2024, 9.5% of female military officers occupied decision-making positions in the NDS. It should be noted that gender-based statistics (the proportion of females serving in different branches and on different levels of military service (according to military ranks and positions occupied) as well as other gender-based aspects are analysed and reported to different institutions on an annual basis. In 2024, 3 women were deployed in international operations. Officers appointed as a unit commander are recommend completing the online course ADL 169 “Improving Operational Effectiveness by Integrating Gender Perspective”. The Lithuanian Police guarantees equal opportunities to both women and men in the selection of vacancies and competitions. Wages depend on positions, regardless of gender. As of 31 December 2024, there were 49.2 % women employees in the Lithuanian Police. There are 3 types of Lithuanian police employees – officers, civil servants and contract workers. According to the data of 31 December 2024, there were 7314 police officers in the Lithuanian Police – 44.1 % of them were women. At the same time the Lithuanian Police employed 474 civil servants, 75,7 % of them were women. There were 1552 contract workers and 65.1 % of them were women. As of 1 March 2023, 1 female officer of the Lithuanian Police was deployed to the international mission. In 2023, representatives of the Police Department participated in a total of 11 different international trainings on CSDP topics in order to gain more experience in the organization of missions, selection, motivation and inclusion of women. In order to increase the number of women seconded to EU CSDP civilian missions, including the implementation of the Lithuanian Action Plan on the Global Agenda for Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325 (2000)), two seminars were organized by the Police Department: 1. On December 4, 2024, a workshop titled "A Woman's Life and Service in a Mission" was held to inspire and equip female police officers for participation in European Union (EU) and international missions. The session covered important aspects of the UN Women, Peace and Security agenda and its relevance in today’s geopolitical landscape, the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy, opportunities for seconded expert missions, as well as the personal experiences and challenges faced by the speakers during their missions. Additionally, topics such as gender equality in law enforcement, mainstreaming, and resilience-building were discussed 2. On April 18, 2024, a workshop entitled "Missions - Prospects for the Future" took place, aiming to motivate and assist police officers and other civil servants in preparing for EU and international missions. During the event, experts discussed the key challenges encountered by officers on missions. Specialists from the Lithuanian Police, the European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared their insights and experiences. 3. On December 5, 2023, the workshop ‘Missions: The Biggest Challenges and How to Overcome Them’, the purpose of which is to help police officers prepare for European Union and international missions. The workshop is focused on practical tasks, where representatives of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the European Civilian Crisis
21 Management Competence Center and other experts will share their experience. 4. On May 30, 2023, the workshop ‘Preparation for Missions’, the purpose of which is to help female police officers prepare for European Union and international missions. The workshop is focused on practical tasks. 5. On 28 April 2022 a seminar “Best practice in EU and international missions” was organized. The seminar was a forum for the participants who got acquainted with the women experience and good practice at the EU and International missions. It also highlighted the EU efforts undertaken to support the women participation in missions at the EU level. In addition, this seminar was contributing to the Lithuania's national police efforts in promoting a more substantial policewomen representation in civilian and/or military EU and international missions at all levels, including leadership. Representatives from Spain, the Czech Republic and Lithuania shared their best practice in working with women and involving them in missions during the seminar. A total of 42 participants took part in the event. 6. On 14 December 2022 a seminar “Selection procedures for European Union and international missions in the Lithuanian police” was organized. The aim of the seminar was to acquaint the participants with preparatory actions for planning to participate in European Union and international missions, planning of activities, legal regulation and participation in selections, in order to encourage and motivate police personnel, especially women, to participate in the EU and international missions at various levels and properly prepare for them. During the seminar, we shared information necessary to properly prepare for missions. During the seminar, a representative of the Dignitary Protection Service of the Republic of Lithuania and Lithuanian officials working in the Cyprus and Lithuanian police shared their experience. A total of 127 participants took part in the event. 7. On 22 September 2021 a seminar “Policewomen in the EU and international missions: preparation and adaptation” was organized. The aim of the seminar was to acquaint the participants with preparation, adaptation, teamwork and psychological problems in the European Union and international missions, in order to encourage women police officers to participate in the European Union and international missions at various levels and to prepare for them properly. During the seminar, a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a military psychologist and Lithuanian officials working in the missions in Georgia and Cyprus shared their experience. A total of 87 participants took part in the event. III. Protection Military service is regulated by the Law on the Organization of the National Defense System and Military Service, the Military Service Statute, the Discipline Statute, the Military Code of Ethics and other legal acts. Labor relations between employees and civil servants are regulated by the Labor Code and the Civil Service Law, as well as the Internal Service Rules of the Ministry of National Defense, the Personnel Concept of the National Defense System, etc. The aforementioned legal acts provide that mutual relations are based on respect, equality, tolerance and tact, it is forbidden to discriminate, harass because of gender, sexual orientation, marital or family status, disability, age, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, language, origin, social status, beliefs or opinions. Failure to comply with these provisions entails not only moral but also disciplinary liability. NDS has measures in place for the collection and monitoring of the military service complaints, including the complaints regarding any sexual misconduct. There are also measures in place to report any offense committed by the military and civilian personnel of the NDS. It is worth mentioning that the communication channels are established to file the complaint regarding alleged violation of the rights of military personnel in general, as well as sexual misconduct in particular. Communication channels are also established to report any violation of law. The information about these channels are publicly published in all the military units of the Armed Forces. According to the law any serviceman whose rights guaranteed by the law or rights related to the service in the national defence system are infringed may approach a commander of a higher rank or the Inspector General. One can contact the General Inspectorate anonymously or directly. The General Inspectorate must investigate the facts and take measures to rectify the violations immediately. Investigation of the cases of abuse and exploitation allegedly perpetrated by the military personnel, depending on the gravity of the offense committed, may lead into two main directions, i.e. investigation under the disciplinary law or investigation under the criminal law. Investigations of the offenses under the disciplinary law are conducted by the officers of the NDS and the investigations of the offences under the criminal law are executed by the military police and/or civilian law enforcement institutions. The access to justice for victims of conflict related violence including cases of exploitation and abuse by military is ensured by the established communication channels, which allows one to report the case of offense and/or to file the complaint, as well as by the administrative entities of the NDS (be it the Inspector General or the Military Police) which one of the main tasks is to investigate the cases of alleged offences and adjudicate the complaints. The staff of the MoND routinely conducts the anonymous staff surveys/climate assessment surveys in the military units of the Armed Forces. In 2024, there were 14 such surveys conducted by General Inspectorate. Also, the representatives of General Inspectorate routinely conduct the educational/ training events in the military units of the Armed Forces which are aimed at raising awareness of the military personnel regarding legal framework and measures in place of any sexual misconduct, prevention of violence, including gender-based violence, sexual harassment offences. Commanders and other
22 superiors are instructed and duly trained about the laws and policies which set out their responsibilities with regard to committed offenses and to the prevention of abuses. Harassment for filing a complaint is prohibited. Commanders (supervisors) are prohibited from forwarding the complaint to the commander (supervisor) whose actions are being complained about. The confidentiality of the information provided must be ensured. In 2024, there were no complaints of sexual harassment. Education on conflict-related violence is included into training material. Every soldier passing pre-mission training is introduced to gender related crimes (types, how to recognise and report, protection measures in accordance with Rules of Engagement). There were no cases of exploitation and abuse perpetrated by Lithuanian peacekeepers in 2024. Contact information Provide information on the national point of contact for the implementation of the Code of Conduct. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Transatlantic Cooperation and Security Policy Department, Arms Control and Non- Proliferation Division phone +370 5 236 2896, e-mail: URM-TBSPD-GKNS@urm.lt Ministry of National Defence, International Relations and Operations Group phone +370 706 80 654, e-mail: laimas.baliunas@kam.lt
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