OSCE/ODIHR Opinion on the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on the Seimas Ombudsmen of circumstances, abundance of information or continuity of actions being complained about necessitates prolongation of the complaint investigation. The complainant shall be notified of the Seimas Ombudsman’s decision to extend the time-limit for the complaint investigation. Complaints shall be investigated within the shortest time possible. Article 19. Rights of the Seimas Ombudsman 1. When performing his duties, the Seimas Ombudsman shall have the right to: 1) request immediate provision of information, material and documents required for the discharge of his functions, be granted access in the manner prescribed by laws to the documents which constitute a State, professional, commercial or bank secret as well as documents which contain information about personal data protected by law. Should it be necessary to execute the right, the assistance of police officials shall be enlisted and an appropriate statement of the seizure of documents shall be drawn up; 2) having produced the certificate of employment, enter the premises of institutions and agencies (enterprises, services or organisations), and at any time of the day, if persons are kept in the premises for 24 hours or more, and unrestrictedly meet and interview persons present in the premises. The territory and premises of institutions and agencies the activity of which are regulated by a statute shall be entered with the officials of the institutions and agencies accompanying; 3) request written or oral explanations from the officials whose activities are under investigation; 4) question the officials and other persons; 5) attend the meetings of the Seimas, the Government, other state and municipal institutions and agencies when the issues under consideration are related to the activities of the Seimas Ombudsmen or the matter investigated by the Seimas Ombudsman; 6) enlist the services of officials of the government agencies, ministries and local authorities, as well as officials and experts of municipal institutions and agencies; 7) inform the Seimas, the Government and other state institutions and agencies or the appropriate municipal council of the gross violations of law or deficiencies, contradictions of or gaps in laws or other legal acts; 8) recommend to the Seimas, state or municipal institutions and agencies to amend the laws or other statutory acts which restrict human rights and freedoms; 28

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