Nusikalstamų veikų garbei ir orumui (de)kriminalizavimas
ENNational and international acts of law guarantee the freedom of speech, which may be implemented by a person expressing their views in various ways. Information Age has created ideal conditions for a person to apply this constitutional right even more actively. Even though freedom of speech is important for the whole personal and social life of a person, it might be limited because of the conflicts that may arise between it and other values that are protected and reinforced by law. However it is important that the restrictions of freedom of speech must comply with certain conditions and shall be determined conclusively. Assessing the system of the offences against person‘s honour and dignity provided in the national Criminal Code, it is thought that the criminalization of freedom of speech does not comply with the criteria for it is limiting and it is expensive, inappropriate, inadequate and disproportionate remedy which does not ensure the public space and culture of communication and hygiene. This results in violations of person‘s honour and dignity therefore the priority should be applied to the restoration of the victim‘s rights by a civil actions and not by a criminal procedures. Therefore, Lithuania should take into consideration the recommendations by international organizations and decriminalize defamation and insult.
