The matter is that Lithuania does not respect national minorities' rights in accordance with the European requirements and standards. Vilnius is a proper example of state authorities' ignorance towards the EU standards that promote multicultural, multi-ethnic and multilingual values. The prohibition of Polish language usage as an auxiliary language in Vilnius and Šalčininkai regions, where Poles are composing respectively 60 and 80 percent of the total number of inhabitants, borders a scandal with discriminative aspects. Particularly that Poles are an indigenous minority living in these areas for centuries. However, Lithuanian authorities have been fighting with bilingual street names for years. A law on the state language permits to write sign names only in Lithuanian language. It is a very bizarre situation, as until recently, the bilingualism was allowed by the law on national minorities, which, after being 19 years in force, was not renewed in 2010 (sic!). This is an unusual case when a Member State of the European Union with a high proportion of national minorities liquidates the legal protection of national minorities. It is an obvious legal recourse, contrary to the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the OSCE. Most importantly, it is also contrary to the spirit of international law.

An important definition

The Treaty of Lisbon puts a great emphasis on the protection of cultural and linguistic heritage, promoting linguistic diversity as a fundamental principle of the European Union. Rights are granted for the EU citizens in the articles 21 and 22 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which mean that an attempt to diminish the exclusivity of the language is a restriction and violation of the fundamental EU values. The notion of linguistic diversity in the EU law covers not only official languages but as well as "semi-governmental", regional and languages that are not officially recognized in a Member State. This is an important definition in the context of heinous and officially demolishing of multilingualism in Lithuania.

Agreements must be obeyed

The reason behind the most sleepless nights is Lithuania's complete ignorance of the Protection of National Minorities' law that is included in the European Framework Convention, which Lithuanian authorities have signed and ratified. Contrary to the principles and good international morals, Lithuania failed to implement this law into its legal system and to follow it. Convention explicitly states that in the areas traditionally inhabited by substantial numbers of persons belonging to national minorities, local names, street names and other topographical indications intended for the public will be placed also in the minority language. Moreover, Convention also provides a possibility to use the minority language in relations between the inhabitants and the administrative authorities. The Treaty with Poland can be also mentioned, in which Lithuania has ensured the free use of the minority language in private and public life. Pacta sunt servanda, agreements must be obeyed, is one of the basic international relations norms, confirmed by a number of international law acts. In the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties it was arranged that any agreement is binding and should be completed in good faith - the provisions of the domestic law cannot justify the breach of contract. And that is particularly how Lithuania behaves; it justifies its action by domestic law's superiority. Do Lithuanian authorities know they mistake? And if so, why do they not obey international agreements?

The European Parliament calls for ratification

There is one more crucial convention, about which Lithuania does not want to hear. It is the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Lithuania belongs to infamous group of the few countries with a large number of national minorities that have not ratified the Charter. In July 2013, the firm stance was taken by the European Parliament to solve this case. In a special resolution on linguistic diversity, the Parliament urged the countries that have not done so to sign and ratify the Charter. It has also called to condemn all practices that discriminate according to the language and identity of other communities. If Lithuania wants to be a loyal and full-fledged member of the EU, it has to obey the EU Parliament's call. Particularly that upon accession to the European Community in 2004, Lithuania has agreed upon the supremacy of the EU law over national laws. Therefore, if the internal rules conflict with the EU standards, domestic rules must change and adapt to European standards, especially on something as important as the protection of national and ethnic minorities. I assure that it will not hurt, and it will only help to fix the best relations with Lithuania's neighbours. It will also make the way out of the dead end of discrimination and chauvinism. To err is human, but voluntary persistence in error is foolishness.

Dr. Bogusław Rogalski, political scientist
ECR Advisor for International Affairs in the European Parliament