Does Regulation of Separated Living Father (Mother) Communication with a Child in Lithuania Is not Against Article 8 of European Human Right Convention?

Skyrium gyvenančio tėvo (motinos) teisė bendrauti su vaiku ir galimi šios teisės ribojimai yra aktuali privatinės teisės problema. Tais atvejais, kada tėvai kartu nebegyvena, vaiko ir skyrium gyvenančio tėvo (motinos) teisė bendrauti taip pat privalo būti išsaugota. Europos Žmogaus Teisių Konvencijos 8 straipsnyje įtvirtinta pagarba asmens šeimos gyvenimui nustato valstybės pareigą elgtis taip, kad būtų užtikrinta normali šeimos ryšių apsauga – šeimos iširimo atveju vaikai išsaugotų šeimos ryšius su abiem tėvais, o skyrium gyvenantis tėvas (motina) išsaugotų ryšį su vaiku. Lietuva, ratifikavusi, Europos Žmogaus Teisių Konvenciją privalo savo teisinę sistemą sureguliuoti taip, kad nebūtų pažeidžiamos asmenų teisės, ginamos minėta Konvencija. Šiame darbe keliama hipotezė ar Lietuvos teisinis reguliavimas nepažeidžia EŽTK 8 straipsnio, kuris numato valstybėms pareigą ginti, apsaugoti ir užtikrinti tėvo (motinos) teisę bendrauti su vaiku, palaikyti nuolatinį ryšį ir jį skatinti. Darbe didelis dėmesys kreipiamas į tai, kokius kriterijus, sprendžiant dėl bendravimo teisės nustatymo, įgyvendinimo yra nustačiusi Europos Žmogaus Teisių Teismo jurisprudencija ir kaip šiuos kriterijus išpildo Lietuvos nacionaliniai teismai, įstatymų leidėjai bei institucijos, ginančios žmogaus, vaikų teises. Į Konvencijos 8 straipsnio reguliavimo sritį patenka „šeimos“, „valstybės pozityvios pareigos“, „geriausių vaiko interesų“ principo sąvokų interpretacija pagal Europos Žmogaus Teisių Teismo suformuotą praktiką. Apžvelgiamas bendravimo teisės nustatymo kriterijų pritaikomumas Lietuvos teisinėje sistemoje ir teismų praktikoje. Aiškinamasi, kas sudaro šeimos sampratos turinį, ar Lietuvos teisinėje sistemoje egzistuoja pozityvios valstybės pareigos ir koks kreipiamas dėmesys į geriausių vaiko interesų principą. Nustatomas santykis tarp Lietuvos teisinės sistemos reguliavimo skyrium gyvenančio tėvo (motinos) bendravimo teisės turinio ir EŽTK 8 straipsnio interpretacijos.In 1995 Lithuania joined European Human Right Convention and by ratifying it confirmed European Human Right Court jurisdiction in all cases related to it`s interpretation and practice. At the same time, the recognition of a human being as a subject of international law means that the State has to observe international obligations in the field of human rights, where the protection of the family from unlawful and arbitrary interference of the state is established. This means that any decision, having potential influence on the legal recognition, disruption, temporal termination or other modification of the relations between the child and his family members, has to comply with the human rights standards established in both national and international law. In the process of social change, such as increasing number of divorces, growing number of extramarital children, arise of new family forms, methods emerge analysing how national law adjusts to European Human Right Court demands. There is a growing number of children living with one of the parent. As practice shows, the child commonly becomes the main object of parents disagreement, therefore state must seek to improve it`s legal framework in trying to secure both fathers and mothers contact right with child and childs right to contact with both parents. In the first part of the work European Human Rights Convention article 8 (establishment of respect of family life) is interpretated under European Human Rights Court practice, parameters are emphasized (family concept, positive state obligations, the best interest of the child), which fall into European Human Rrights Conventions article 8 analyzing both separated parents right to interact with child and childs right to interact with one of the parents. In the second part of the work the review of Lihuanian law system is introduced and contact right establishment is overlooked by the parameters introduced in the first part. The interpretation of family conception content is given, the question of whether there is a positive state duties in Lithuanian legal system is arised and what kind of attention is given in Lithuanian legal system to secure the best interest of the child are analyzed. In the third part of the work the relation is established between Lithuanian legal system regulations content of separated parents rights to communicate with their child and interpretation of European Human Rights Convention article 8. The comparison is being made by three parameters, therefore there is three main conclusions based on them. Based on concept of family parameter the conclusion is drawn that there is a difference in interpreting family concept. In European Human Rights Convention article 8 family concept is not limited only to families that are legally married, but it as well incorporates family relations that are not necessarily legitimized. Criterion by which family relations are considered as a family is based on individuals closeness to each other and does not demand that individuals legitimize their relationships. There are three main documents that examine family relations law in Lithuania: 1) Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania 2) Civil Code of Lithuania 3) states family concept and support of families law project based on it. Constitution, Civil Code and European Human Rights Convention does not define family concept. Therefore states family concept and initiated law project trying to define family term as only legitimize relations between individuals contradict with three main law acts: European Human Rights Convention, Constitution and Civil Code. Under the positive state duty parameter, established, that positive state duties are to consolidate relevant law base and ensure contact right. In Lithuania there is good formation of law base to protect separated both father and mother rights to interact with child in accordance to European Human Rights Court. Based on the best interest of a child criterion European Human Rights Court established that in making decisions concerning separated both fathers and mothers right to interact with the child, it is essential to hold on to the best interest of the child. Childs interest always should be of highest interest. Lithuanian law basis properly ensure the best interest of a child. In Lithuanian law and court judgments, making decisions in relation to communication right this principle is viable.Vytauto Didžiojo universiteta