I first met Mantas Adomėnas at an International Religious Freedom conference in Taiwan last summer. I was immediately drawn to his clearly articulated convictions, and impressed by his work promoting democracy and religious freedom.
Last week, I saw Mantas again, this time in his home country of Lithuania where I was speaking at a conference on challenges and opportunities in Asia. During my visit, Mantas showed me many of the important (and impressive) historical sites related to Lithuania’s independence and shared his unique role as witness and advocate in his country’s democratic progress.
From the age of 15, Mantas began participating in the Lithuanian National Movement Rallies, pushing for Lithuanian Independence. On March 11, 1990, Lithuania became the first occupied state to declare independence from the USSR. Mantis used a journalist permit to sneak into the room where members of the Supreme Council were signing the proclamation that restored independence - making him the youngest person in the room at age 17.
In 1991, Mantas again took part in the protests later called the January Events. He was among those forming a human blockade around the Television Tower, which was plowed by soviet tanks, killing 14 protesters.
Mantas is now in his third term as a legislator in the Seimas, and is a global advocate for democracy and religious freedom - work that has made him unwelcome in both Russia and China.
I am honored and humbled to call him a friend.