R. Tamašunienė: Lithuania and Latvia Must Jointly Strengthen the Resilience of Their Justice Systems
Minister of Justice Rita Tamašunienė, together with Vice Ministers of Justice Martynas Dobrovolskis and Kristina Zamarytė-Sakavičienė, met with Latvia's Minister of Justice, Edvards Smiltēns.
During the meeting, the ministers discussed opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the field of justice, as well as the key challenges facing both countries, including the modernization of prison systems, ensuring the functioning of courts during crises and wartime, and protecting children in the digital environment.
Particular attention was devoted to the modernization of the prison system and the resocialization of offenders. The Lithuanian delegation presented the country's individualized sentence enforcement model, which focuses on motivating offenders to change their behaviour and reduce the risk of reoffending. The delegation also introduced Lithuania's progressive sentence enforcement system, where positive behavioural changes are encouraged through various incentive measures, as well as Norway-inspired halfway houses and the dynamic security model.
"A modern prison system must first and foremost help people change. Resocialization is not merely a social measure—it is also an effective crime prevention tool that enhances public safety. That is why we invest in individualized work with offenders, vocational training, meaningful employment, and responsible preparation for their reintegration into society," said Minister of Justice Rita Tamašunienė.
The meeting also addressed the resilience of the judicial system in times of crisis and the functioning of courts under martial law. Lithuanian representatives presented the ongoing review of the national legal framework aimed at ensuring the uninterrupted operation of pre-trial investigation institutions, prosecution services, and courts during wartime. To this end, an interinstitutional working group has been established to examine issues such as the temporary relocation of courts, jurisdiction, the prioritization of cases, and other key aspects of judicial operations. The participants also exchanged information on Lithuania's cooperation with Ukraine in drawing on its practical experience of organizing the work of justice institutions under wartime conditions.
The ministers also devoted special attention to the protection of children on social media platforms. They discussed the need to strengthen European Union-level measures to better protect minors from illegal and age-inappropriate content, as well as other threats emerging in the digital environment.
"Children's safety in the digital environment cannot depend solely on national solutions. Social media platforms operate beyond national borders, which means the response must be European. Lithuania supports the establishment of common age verification standards and a minimum age requirement for the use of social media, ensuring that children across the European Union enjoy the same high level of effective protection," Minister Tamašunienė emphasized.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Ministers of Justice of Lithuania and Latvia reaffirmed their commitment to continue close cooperation, exchange best practices, and work together to develop solutions that strengthen the efficiency, resilience, and public trust in the justice systems of both countries.
Last updated: 24-07-2026