Various reports estimate the current population of Jewish Lithuanians at approximately 4,000-7,500 persons (JCL n.d.; Adherents.com 4 Nov. 2000; Stephen Roth Institute 9 Jan. 2002; NCSJ Sept. 2002; ARIRF 7 Oct. 2002). According to the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS, these are divided into communities in Vilnius (5,000 persons), Kaunas and Klaipeda (each with 300 persons) as well as Druskinikayt, Plunge, Ponavezhis, Shaulay, Shventshenis, Telmay and Ukmerge (each with 100 persons) (24 June 2002).

Lithuanian law bans acts that incite ethnic, racial or religious hatred (BNS 17 Apr. 2002). Although a BNS report stated that the issue of religious hatred "has rarely surfaced in the past" the Jewish community observed an increase in anti-Semitism and acts inciting hatred in Lithuania (ibid. 19 Apr. 2002). The Annual Report on International Religious Freedom (ARIRF) published by the US Department of State also noted that the Jewish community had observed this increase over the preceding "several years" (7 Oct. 2002). In 2002, reported incidents included anti-Semitic sloganeering and chanting at two sports matches featuring Israeli national teams (UCJS 26 Aug. 2002; JTA 15 Apr. 2002), an individual who was found using his Website to offer "a reward for 'hunting' Jews" (UCSJ 1 Oct. 2002), and a small anti-Semitic protest concerning the issue of property restitution in Taurage (BNS 17 Apr. 2002).

With respect to state protection, Judaism is recognized as one of nine "traditional" religions in Lithuania, which endows Jewish communities with certain rights under the Lithuanian constitution including government assistance (ARIRF 7 Oct. 2002). Jewish community leaders report good relations with the Lithuanian government and the National Conference on Soviet Jewry (NCSJ) characterized the latter as having made "significant progress" in addressing Lithuania's role in the Holocaust (NCJS Sept. 2002). In addition, the Lithuanian government and national press are reported to "generally criticize anti-Semitic statements when they occur" (ARIRF 7 Oct. 2002). Accordingly, public displays of anti-Semitism in 2002 resulted in a number of warnings issued by authorities (UCSJ 1 Oct. 2002; Lietuvos Rytas 7 Jan. 2002; BNS 17 Apr. 2002) and one case where the state security agency requested police to lay charges against an individual (RFE/RL 8 Aug. 2002).

Lithuanian Jews are organized under what is variously called the Jewish Community of Lithuania (JCL) (JCL n.d.), the Lithuanian Jewish Community and the Association of Jewish Religious Communities (NCSJ Sept. 2002). The JCL is an umbrella organization representing all Jews (ibid.) that formed in November 1991 and is governed by an elected community council (Beth Hatefutsoth n.d.). In addition, it is an association uniting the urban communities of Vilnius, Kaunas, Shiauliai, and Klaipeda with the regional communities of Shvenchionys, Ukmerge, Panevezhys, Druskininkai, Plunge and Telshiai (JCL n.d.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Adherents.com. 4 November 2000. "Lithuania." http://www.adherents.com/adhloc/Wh_186.html [Accessed 5 Feb. 2003]

Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 2002 (ARIRF). 7 October 2002. "Lithuania." United States Department of State. Washington, DC. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2002/13946.htm [Accessed 29 Jan. 2003]

Baltic News Service (BNS). 19 April 2002. "Lithuanian Jewish Community Voices Concern Over Incitement of Anti-Semitic Feelings." (NEXIS)

_____. 17 April 2002. "Police Break Up Protest Against Restitution of Jewish Property in Taurage, Lithuania." (NEXIS)

Beth Hatefutsoth. n.d. "The Database of Jewish Communities: Jewish Communities of Vilna [Vilnius]." http://www.bh.org.il/Communities/Archive/Vilna.asp [Accessed 6 Feb. 2003]

Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS. 24 June 2002. "Lithuania." http://www.fjc.ru/lithuaniafr.htm [Accessed 6 Feb. 2003]

Jewish Community of Lithuania (JCL). n.d. "Overview." http://www.litjews.org/aboutus.asp [Accessed 5 Feb. 2003]

JTA Global News Service of the Jewish People (JTA) [Washington]. 15 April 2002. Adam B. Ellick. "Taunts at Vilnius Basketball Game Prompt Apology to Jewish Leaders." http://www.jta.org/page_print_story.asp?intarticleid=11173 [Accessed 5 Feb. 2003]

Lietuvos Rytas [Vilnius]. 7 January 2002. "Lithuanian Security Police Crack Down on Neo-Nazis." (FSU Monitor 8 Jan. 2002/UCSJ) http://www.fsumonitor.com/stories/010802Lithua.shtml [Accessed 5 Feb. 2003]

National Conference on Soviet Jewry (NCSJ). September 2002. "NCSJ Baltic Trip - September 2002." http://www.ncsj.org/AuxPages/Sep02BalticTrip2.shtml [Accessed 7 Feb. 2003]

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 8 August 2002. Newsline Vol. 6, No. 148, Part II. "Lithuania's Security Calls for Prosecution for Anti-Semitic Actions." (NEXIS)

Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Contemporary Anti-Semitism and Racism [Tel Aviv]. 9 January 2002. "Baltic Republics." In Antisemitism Worldwide 2000/1 http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw2000-1/baltic_republics.htm [Accessed 6 Feb. 2003]

Union of Councils for Jews in the Former Soviet Union (UCSJ). 1 October 2002. "Vilnius Resident Warned for Inciting Ethnic Hatred." (FSU Monitor 1 Oct. 2002/UCSJ) http://www.fsumonitor.com/stories/100102Lithuani.shtml [Accessed 5 Feb. 2003]

_____. 26 August 2002. "Lithuanian Soccer Fans Yell 'Juden Raus!' at Israeli Team." (FSU Monitor 26 Aug. 2002/UCSJ) http://www.fsumonitor.com/stories/082602Lithuani.shtml [Accessed 6 Feb. 2003]

IRB Databases

NEXIS

Unsuccessful attempt to contact the Jewish Community of Lithuania in Vilnius.

Internet sites, including:

Haruth Communications, Jewish Communities of the World

Jerusalem of Lithuania (2001-2002)

Jewish Bulletin News

Jews in Lithuania

Jews of Lithuania

Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism

World News Connection