Government adopts action plan to combat antisemitism and xenophobia
On Wednesday, the Cabinet of Ministers approved an action plan to combat antisemitism, xenophobia and incitement to discord in all its forms, and to foster Jewish life—a comprehensive policy document envisaged in the programme of the 20th Government.
The document contains 157 specific measures designed to strengthen the prevention of and response to manifestations of national, racial, religious and other forms of incitement to hatred and discord, also to support vulnerable groups, strengthen cohesion among Lithuania’s diverse communities, and expand educational and cultural initiatives aimed at increasing public understanding of the country’s social, cultural and historical diversity.
‘Hatred based on national, racial, religious or other identity differences, along with discrimination and demeaning stereotypes, causes harm not only to individuals and communities — they divide us as a society and weaken us as a state that has long been defined by diversity. While individual institutions and non-governmental organisations have taken steps to address these challenges, their efforts, until now, have lacked sufficient coordination and a shared strategic direction. Moreover, Lithuania has been among the minority EU Member States without such a plan. We are now correcting this,’ said Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė.
The action plan has been developed in close cooperation with academic, historical memory, and cultural institutions, representatives of national minorities and local authorities, human rights organisations, other relevant public bodies, and non-governmental organisations. The objectives of the plan include:
- Preventing and combating all forms of antisemitism, xenophobia and incitement to discord (including combating hate crimes and hate speech, historical distortions, and harmful stereotypes, Holocaust denial and trivialisation, and raising public awareness by promoting tolerance, civic engagement and respect for human rights).
- Fostering Jewish life, freedom of religion or belief, preserving Jewish culture and heritage, promoting education and research on Jewish history and contemporary life, and ensuring the protection of educational, scholarly and cultural institutions and sites.
- Preserving the memory of the Holocaust (through education, research and remembrance initiatives, also commemorating Holocaust victims and the Righteous Among the Nations).