The number of complaints about discrimination on the grounds of nationality remains stable

In 2013 and 2014 the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman’s Office in Lithuania received the same number of complaints about discrimination on the grounds of nationality.

In 2013 the Office investigated 10 (4% of all complaints) cases of discrimination on the grounds of nationality, and in 2014 – 8 cases (3% of all complaints).

The most investigations were conducted into cases concerning the possibility of discrimination on the grounds of sex. Men filed 59% of all complaints, and women – 41%. The majority of complaints filed by men occurred in 2000, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

In 2014 the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman’s Office considered 279 cases of discrimination: 202 complaints were filed and 77 cases were investigated ex officio. In 2013, the Office considered 281 cases of discrimination, in 2012 – 213, and in 2011 – 170.

In 2014 63 investigations (25% of all cases) referred to the possibility of discrimination on the grounds of social status, 30 investigations (12%) – on the grounds of age, 25 investigations (10%) – on the ground of disability, 18 investigations (7%) – on the grounds of religion. Moreover, 8 investigations (3% of all cases) concerned the possibility of discrimination on the grounds of nationality, 7 investigations (3%) – on the grounds of language, 5 investigations (2%) – on the grounds of sexual orientation, 3 investigations (1%) – on the grounds of beliefs or views, and 2 investigations (1%) – on the grounds of ethnicity.

In 2013 the number of complaints about discrimination on the grounds of sex, age, sexual orientation, language and religion increased. In turn, the number of complaints concerning social status and disability decreased.

Traditionally, the most active citizens in asserting their rights are the dwellers of the Vilnius region: they filed 60% of all complaints.

The Equal Opportunities Ombudsman’s Office handle complaints of people discriminated on the grounds of sex, age, disability, race, nationality or ethnicity, religion, etc.