Ruling party MP - UN Special Rapporteur “positively assessed” Govt’s steps in protecting disabled people’s rights
The MP said Quinn’s assessment of the National Human Rights Strategy was “important” and had a particular significance with the process of Georgia’s European integration in mind. Photo: Parliament of Georgia
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Rati Ionatamishvili, an MP of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said Gerard Quinn, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, had “positively assessed” steps taken by the Georgian Government in protecting disabled people’s rights.
In his comments at a plenary session of the Parliament, Ionatamishvili said Quinn, who paid a visit to Georgia last week with the goal of assessing the country's performance and efforts taken to protect the rights of people with disabilities, had evaluated a related law passed by the legislative body in 2020.
The MP said Quinn’s assessment of the National Human Rights Strategy was “important” and had a particular significance with the process of Georgia’s European integration in mind.
He said the ability of the Government to “clearly see the challenges” spoke of the country's potential to “achieve the goal of an inclusive society”, and added the evaluation was an “additional motivation and incentive” for authorities to work with “greater responsibility” to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities.
Ionatamishvili also pointed out Quinn had “especially noted” the role of the legislative body in the process.
Ongoing and planned reforms within Georgia’s Ministry of Justice for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities were discussed on Thursday in a meeting between Deputy Minister Buba Lomuashvili and Gerard Quinn, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities.
Ana Goguadze, a Georgian photographer, initiator of projects for children and activist for the rights of people with disabilities, has been distinguished with the Medal of Honour state prize, with President Salome Zourabichvili awarding her with the title on Wednesday.
Shalva Papuashvili, the Georgian Parliament Speaker, on Wednesday said the country’s legislative body was marking this year’s Day of Protection of Rights of the People with Disabilities on the back of “important decisions” made over the recent years to “assert the rights” of disabled individuals across the country.
Georgia’s Justice Ministry on Tuesday said it had approved the 2023 action plan for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, ensuring compliance with the relevant United Nations Convention and serving to improve the accessibility of the related infrastructure, services and offerings for persons with disabilities.