Georgian PM, European Court of Human Rights President discuss prospects for deepening cooperation

Prospects of deepening the existing cooperation between Georgia and the European Court of Human Rights were discussed on Wednesday by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and ECHR President Robert Spano.

Garibashvili thanked the ECHR President for his “personal efforts” in protecting human rights in Georgia and around the world, the Government Administration said, with the parties noting the Court’s current review of around 130 complaints about Georgia as of March 31, the lowest recorded figure on cases related to the country.

The Administration also contrasted the figure with between 3000-4000 complaints involving the country a decade ago, and said the PM had noted the figures showed a “significant increase” in the quality of protection of human rights in Georgia and were a result of “successful reforms” implemented by the Georgian Government over the recent years.

The meeting also emphasised the “historic” decision of the Court in confirming the occupation and effective control of Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions by Russia, with Garibashvili once again confirming the commitment of his Government to the peaceful policy of conflict resolution.

The two officials' conversation also touched on the ongoing justice reform in Georgia, with Garibashvili noting “significant progress” had been achieved as a result of judicial reforms over the years while adding the results were “not enough and the reform process continues”.

Photo: Government's Administration.

The Government head also cited Georgia’s 49th global position among 128 countries - and the country’s leading of the regional ranking - in the latest Rule of Law Index of the World Justice Project.

On his part, Spano said his visit to the country to review cooperation and dialogue between the ECHR and the Georgian justice system had come at a “very important time”. He noted the national judge of the Court had also been given the opportunity to “discuss the recent events” with authorities in the country and to “confirm to the Georgian justice system and authorities that the Court and the Council of Europe continue to move forward on the path of increasing cooperation and support".