The latest report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in Georgia was presented by the country’s delegation on Wednesday to the United Nations Human Rights Committee.
Deputy Justice Minister Beka Dzamashvili delivered the Government’s fifth periodic report to the UN body, covering legislative and institutional reforms implemented since 2014 for ensuring effective provision of human rights and timely fulfilment of international obligations.
Challenges to human rights protection in Georgia's Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions were also raised at the session, Georgia’s Justice Ministry said.
Members of the Committee were provided with detailed information on historical decisions made by the European Court of Human Rights and the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which legally confirmed the Russian occupation of Georgian territories and responsibility for the violations committed during the 2008 war”, the Ministry noted.
Reforms in the judicial system, steps taken to strengthen the penitentiary system and law enforcement agencies, as well as anti-corruption measures were presented by the Georgian side in the report, prepared in 2020 by the Ministry of Justice along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other state agencies.
The Georgian delegation also answered questions of the members of the Committee on current issues in the country in terms of human rights protection, and briefed them on reforms carried out by the Government for enforcement of anti-discrimination legislation and ensuring freedom of expression and assembly.
They also highlighted reforms on eliminating violence against women and ensuring the rights of children and people with disabilities.
The Ministry said the Committee had “positively assessed” the mechanisms to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of UN monitoring bodies. The Committee’s recommendations are expected to be sent to the Georgian delegation in writing, with the latter to report on their implementation in 2024.