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Lithuania: Amnesty rallies supporters to oppose rising homophobia in Baltic state

Amnesty International today called on its 2.2 million members worldwide to address the rising tide of homophobia in Lithuania.

In recent months the gay community in the Baltic state has seen marches repeatedly banned for spurious reasons, a smoke-bomb attack on a gay-rights conference, and numerous homophobic comments from leading politicians.

Amnesty International said:

“To persecute people for their sexual orientation is to violate their fundamental human rights.

“Amnesty International calls on the Lithuanian authorities to respect the right to peaceful freedom of assembly for all, the right not to be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation and to actively promote respect for diversity in their country.

“The Lithuanian authorities also need to offer adequate police protection to the country’s gay community.”

Amnesty has asked its members to write to the country’s Minister of the Interior, Raimondas Sukys, and the Mayor of Vilnius, Juozas Imbrasas to voice their concerns.

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