Prosecutor General to approve action plan for protection of disabled people’s rights

An action plan for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities has been submitted to the Prosecutor General of Georgia for approval, the Prosecutor's Office announced on Tuesday.

Prepared by the Office’s Human Rights Department, the plan involves measures for protecting persons with disabilities from exploitation, ill-treatment and discrimination, ensuring access to criminal justice, and combating crimes against disabled people.

In comments on the plan the Prosecutor’s Office also said it had taken “important measures” last year to “properly fulfil” the body’s obligations under both the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Georgian law.

The statement of the state agency further reads it carried out specific activities for improving the protection of the rights of disabled people, including raising the qualification of its staff, improving access to justice for minors with disabilities, and effectively prosecuting relevant crimes. 

In 2021, the Prosecutor’s Office issued two guidelines about the standards and methods of working with both adult and minor disabled witnesses, victims and defendants. It also noted its goal was to ensure disabled persons’ “equal, full and effective participation” in all stages of proceedings.