The results of a qualitative study of communities vulnerable to hate crimes showed that one of the reasons why victims of hate speech or hate crime do not contact law enforcement is ignorance of the possibility of contacting them and/or where and how to do so, as well as ignorance and/or inability to defend their rights. The Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania reminds where and how to report hate incidents and what rights victims have.
Have you been a victim of hate speech or a hate crime?
-
- Have you been publicly (verbally, written, or in any other form) mocked, humiliated, or subjected to actions encouraging others to discriminate against you or commit violence against you due to your nationality, language, skin color, race, origin, ethnicity, faith, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, gender, social status, beliefs, or views?
- For the same reasons, were you physical assaulted, terrorised, persecuted, threatened, or had your property stolen, destroyed, or damaged?
Learn more – nepyka.lt/en.
Report it!
-
- If you require urgent assistance at the scene of a crime, call 112
- Otherwise:
- report to the police by visiting the nearest police station or online www.epolicija.lt
- or report directly to the Prosecutor General’s Office by e-mail generaline.prokuratura@prokuraturos.lt
- Online hate speech could also be reported:
- to a virtual patrol by e-mail virtualus.patrulis@policija.lt or by sending a message on Facebook
- or to the Communications Regulatory Authority online www.svarusinternetas.lt/en
- If you do not wish to report the incident to law enforcement, you can report it to NGOs online www.manoteises.lt/pranesk/en
You have the right to:
-
- Receive free legal information and consultation (primary legal aid) – contact your municipality
- Access free and confidential support provided by victim support services
After reporting a crime to law enforcement, during criminal proceedings you have the right to:
-
- If you are recognised as a victim of hate crime or hate speech – receive free legal assistance (secondary legal aid) – contact the State Guaranteed Legal Aid Service (www.vgtpt.lrv.lt/en, +370 690 02 233)
- Have an accompanying person
- Be granted protection from criminal influence and (or) special protection measures
- Obtain verbal and written translation assistance if needed
- Receive compensation for damages, including restitution for harm caused by violent crimes as stipulated by law
- Receive reimbursement of expenses incurred due to participation in criminal proceedings
Learn more here.
Information of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania
