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The establishment of the Ombudsman institution in the Republic of Lithuania is provided in the Constitution of 1992. On December 3, 1998, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania adopted a new Law on the Seimas Ombudsmen to set down in detail the organization and the functions of the Ombudsman. Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania who have an impeccable reputation, who are trained in law and who have served in the legal profession or who have been employed in the institutions of State government and administration for at least 5 years shall be eligible for appointment as Ombudsmen. They are appointed by the Seimas for the term of 4 years from the candidates nominated by the Speaker of the Seimas. In the Republic of Lithuania there are five Ombudsmen: two Ombudsmen for the investigation of activities of state institution officials, one Ombudsman for the investigation of activities of military institution officials and officials of institutions having the status of military institutions, and two Ombudsmen for the investigation of activities of officials of local government institutions. When nominating candidates for the office of Ombudsmen, the Seimas Speaker specifies the institutions for the investigation of activities whereof they are appointed. They have equal rights and duties, and each of them functions independently. Among them is appointed the head of the Ombudsmen's Office who, alongside with the direct duties of the Ombudsman, also performs administrative functions - he employs or dismisses from office deputies of the Ombudsmen, employs or dismisses other employees of the Office, monitors their work, represents the Office, and organizes the preparation of annual reports.

The Ombudsmen investigate complaints concerning abuse of official position or bureaucracy of officials of state or local government institutions. Excluded from examination by the Ombudsman are the activities of the President, Seimas members, Ministers, judges, prosecutors, investigators. Each year the Ombudsman is obliged to submit a written report on his general activities during the previous calendar year to the Seimas by March 15. The report must be made public and considered in the Seimas.

Contact information:
The Siemas Ombudsmen
Address: 53 Gediminas Avenue, 2002 Vilnius
Phone: + 370 2 221 449
Fax: + 370 2 227 246
E-mail: ombuds@lrs.lt
Web site: http://ombuds.lrs.lt/