ANNUAL REPORT OF 2019 ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE SEIMAS OMBUDSMEN’S OFFICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA It is necessary to emphasize the particular importance of the role of the NHRI in systematically analysing and summarizing the information for continuous reporting on the fundamental human rights issues, assessing the conformity of national legal acts with the universally recognized human rights principles and standards, proposing conditions for the elimination of potential violations of human rights, etc. In pursuit of more effective implementation of decisions and recommendations, the NHRI relies on international, regional and national human rights mechanisms, national courts and the European Court of Human Rights (hereinafter the ECHR), cooperates with public authorities and non-governmental organizations, involves experts and representatives of the academic community working in various fields of human rights. Investigation and examination of actions of intelligence officials engaged in intelligence and counterintelligence Complaints concerning actions of intelligence officials violating human rights or freedoms, carrying out intelligence and counterintelligence are investigated and handled by the Seimas Ombudsmen in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Law on the Seimas Ombudsmen. The Extended Chamber of the Supreme Court of Lithuania (ruling of 12 December 2018 of the Supreme Court of Lithuania in civil case No e3K-7471-403/2018) noted that in observance of Article 19 of the Law on the Seimas Ombudsmen, while conducting investigations of actions of intelligence officials violating human rights or freedoms, carrying out intelligence and counterintelligence activities, the Seimas Ombudsman have the right to propose the intelligence institution to suspend the officials from their office or apply himself to court for dismissal of the officials guilty of abuse or bureaucracy, to propose to compensate for the property and nonproperty damage incurred by the complainant as a result of violations committed by officials, to refer EVERYONE COUNTS 9 the material to a pre-trial investigation body or prosecutor, to propose the imposition of penalties on the officials, to propose a collegiate institution or official to cancel, suspend or change decisions that contradict laws in accordance with the procedure set forth by laws, or propose to take decisions which were not taken because of abuse or bureaucracy, etc. However, the Seimas Ombudsman does not have the competence to adopt a decision with positive consequences for the complainant, the enforcement of which would be mandatory and which could protect his violated rights and legitimate interests. ACTIVITIES OF THE SEIMAS OMBUDSMEN’S OFFICE AS THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTION In 2019, while performing the functions of the National Human Rights Institution the Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office paid great attention to ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities, thus looking into the aspects of the enforcement of social and economic rights of these persons, the process of monitoring legal incapacity, drawing attention to the rights of persons with disabilities when providing alternative reports to international organisations. The Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office also analysed the reform of the penal enforcement system, organised training for officials of correctional institutions on the implementation of human rights-based supervision of life sentences, as well as contributed to the organisation of the National Forum on Human Rights to celebrate the International Human Rights Day for the second year in a row. In addition, the Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office presented the alternative report to the United Nations on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in Lithuania and to the UN Committee on Elimination of All Forms of