AKIPRESS.COM - The United Nations expert body found that Lithuania violated the rights of its ex-president Rolandas Paksas by introducing a rule banning impeached officials from holding high office – just weeks after he had been removed from his post for abuse of power, the UN News Centre reported Wednesday.
The Geneva-based Committee, which monitors worldwide implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, considered a complaint brought by the former leader and found that Mr. Paksas could not have foreseen the ban, which was not in force when he was impeached.
Lithuania should overturn his lifelong disqualification from running for or holding high offices, including that of president, prime minister or minister – according to a news release issued by the Committee.
In April 2004, the Lithuanian Parliament removed Mr. Paksas from office, after its constitutional court found that he had unlawfully arranged Lithuanian citizenship for a Russian-born businessman.
In May that same year, the Parliament amended the electoral legislation to introduce the lifelong ban.