Freedom of Expression/History/Country sources/Lithuania
What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right?
Lithuania
Freedom of speech is guaranteed to all Lithuanian citizens in Article 16 of the 1928 Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania. Article 16 continues, limiting this freedom only “when it is essential to protect morality or State order.” Post-independence from the Soviet Union, Lithuania’s 1992 Constitution expands the explanation of freedom of expression in Article 25: Individuals shall have the right to have their own convictions and freely express them. Individuals must not be hindered from seeking, obtaining, or disseminating information or ideas. Freedom to express convictions, as well as to obtain and disseminate information, may not be restricted in any way other than as established by law, when it is necessary for the safeguard of the health, honour and dignity, private life, or morals of a person, or for the protection of constitutional order. Freedom to express convictions or impart information shall be incompatible with criminal actions - the instigation of national, racial, religious, or social hatred, violence, or discrimination, the dissemination of slander, or misinformation.” However, in Article 145 this right is permitted to be temporarily limited during a state of emergency or martial law, as seen enacted in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.
References:
Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, 1928. British and Foreign State Papers (1932), World Constitutions Illustrated, HeinOnline: https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.cow/zzlt0064&i=3
Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, 1992. Parliament (Seimas) (consulted 2011), World Constitutions Illustrated, HeinOnline: https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.cow/zzlt0061&i=1
U.S. Department of State. 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Lithuania. (2022): https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/lithuania