Georgia develops national mechanism to protect rights of people with disabilities

The Government of Georgia is making an effort to create a better environment for people with disabilities.

Today, on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Georgian Government presented its first report to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The event was organised with assistance from the European Union (EU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The report described the country's progress since the ratification of the Convention in 2013. It also examined challenges faced by the country on the way to building a more inclusive and equitable environment for its citizens.

The protection of the Rights of People with Disabilities is the foremost priority of the Government of Georgia. The state reaffirms its commitment to continue implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” said Natalia Jaliashvili, head of the Human Rights Secretariat of the Administration of the Government of Georgia.

From this end, the state will develop and implement a comprehensive policy to abolish the existing social barriers that hinders people with disabilities from their full and effective participation in all spheres of public life,” she added.

Preparation of the report was coordinated by the Human Rights Secretariat of the Administration of the Government of Georgia, together with Parliament and various ministries.

The EU and UNDP assisted Georgia to protect the rights of people with disabilities under their wider program 'Human Rights for All' funded by the EU.

People with disabilities are able to make an enormous contribution to European society but often face barriers that prevent them from doing so,” said Yvonne Gogoll of the European Union Delegation to Georgia.

Inclusion matters. The EU promotes active inclusion and full participation of disabled people in society, in line with the EU human rights approach to disability issues. The values of dignity, autonomy, equality and inclusion are the key EU principles.”

Georgia's first report to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities was submitted in September 2016. This will be followed by suggestions and general recommendations on the implementation of the Convention from the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).