Among others, the press statement says:‘Last week, news concerning the obtainment of the certificate by the advisors to the President Gitanas Nausėda about the alleged employment of 20 people of Polish nationality by the Minister of Transport and Communications Jaroslav Narkevič was spread. This information was widely commented and discussed. Presidential Office reports were not confirmed. However, 12 people of Polish nationality, not belonging to any party, were employed not by the Minister, but by managers of companies subject to the ministry. The fact of collecting personal data may be assessed as a breach of the principle of non-discrimination based on nationality and as an attempt by the president's advisors to cause hostile attitude of the Lithuanian society towards national minorities. To add, about 500 people were employed in the subordinate facilities in the said period.’

Moreover, the Press office of the party informs that ‘According to the Article 22 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, information about a person's private life may be collected only on the basis of a reasoned court decision and in accordance with law. Law and court protect against arbitrary or unlawful interference in personal and family life, as well as against the attack on human dignity and honour.’

It is also mentioned, that ‘Pursuant to Article 29 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, human rights may not be restricted or privileged on the basis of person’s sex, race, nationality, language, origin, social status, religion, beliefs or views.’

‘The General Data Protection Regulation No. 2016/679 establishing equal standards for the protection of personal data is valid in Lithuania as in all European Union member states. The Article 9(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation states that ‘Processing of personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership (…) shall be prohibited.’ The regulation also contains a general principle according to which it is forbidden to disclose data on the ethnicity (nationality) of a person, because considering the context of these data, there is a threat to human rights and freedoms,’ underlines the Press Office.

‘For centuries Lithuania has been known for the mutual respect which national minorities living here share between themselves - all nations built Lithuania, all strived for its independence. All citizens of our country, regardless of their nationality, work for the benefit of the country, want to feel safe and trust the authorities of their homeland,’ says the communication.

‘We regret that the abovementioned illegal activities of the President's advisors incite national conflicts, discredit the state institutions of Lithuania and undermine the image of our state as a state of tolerance and law,’ states the EAPL-CFA Press Office.