In Lithuania, ethnic Russians comprise only 9 percent of the total population and pose no threat to the vast majority of indigenous Lithanians (80 percent) (Critique 1991 1992, 208). Nevertheless, relations between both communities are strained (Country Reports 1991. 1992, 1171).

According to the Lawyers Committe for Human Rights, the democratically elected government of Lithuania has adopted new laws that, in aiming to protect the rights of its nationals, may violate human rights of ethnic Russians and other minority groups (Critique 1991 1992, 208). On 10 December 1991, the Supreme Council passed a law that restricts the ability of Russian and other ethnic minorities to acquire Lithuanian nationality (Ibid. 209). Under the law, Lithuanian nationality is restricted to applicants who have resided in the country for at least 10 years, have legal employment, can read and speak the Lithuanian language and have renounced their former nationality (Ibid.). Furthermore, applicants who tried to oppose the independence movement after 11 March 1990 (Independence day) may be refused Lithuanian nationality (Ibid.).

Persons who are not eligible or who have been refused Lithuanian nationality may apply for Russian naturalization (Ibid.). However, they may not be allowed to vote or run in upcoming elections in Lithuania and may be restricted from acquisition of state property during the privatization process (Ibid., 211).

Currently available sources at the DIRB do not directly link the treatment of ethnic Russians to the presence of Russian troups on Lithuanian soil. However, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, increased pressure from Russian parliament members aimed at the protection of Russians residing in the former Soviet republics may put an end to the withdrawal of Russian troops from Lithuania (RFE/RL 28 Aug. 1992, 77).

Additional information on this topic is not currently available to the DIRB. For any further information on the situation of the ethnic Russians in Latvia, please consult the attached documentation.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1991. 1992. U.S. Department of State. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, pp. 1167-1173.

Critique: Review of the Department of State's Country reports on Human Rights Practices for 1991. 1992. Lawyers Committee for Human Rights. New York: Lawyers Committee for Human Rights.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFL/RL). 28 August 1992. RFE/RL Report Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 1, No. 34. Saulius Girnius. "Progress in Withdrawal of Troops from Lithuania?"

Human Rights Watch. December 1991. Human Rights Watch World Report 1992. New York: Human Rights Watch.

Critique: Review of the Department of State's Country reports on Human Rights Practices for 1991. 1992. Lawyers Committee for Human Rights. New York: Lawyers Committee for Human Rights.

Human Rights Watch. December 1991. Human Rights Watch World Report 1992. New York: Human Rights Watch.