PM, CoE Commissioner discuss human rights protection in Georgia

The conversation touched on the progress achieved in the field of human rights protection after 2012, with the sides noting that the situation “has improved and radically changed” in this regard over the last decade. The effective work of the Human Rights Council was also emphasised. Photo via Government Administration

Agenda.ge, 01 Jul 2023 - 16:05, Tbilisi,Georgia

The steps taken by the Georgian Government to strengthen the national human rights protection mechanisms were discussed on Saturday in a meeting between Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Dunja Mijatović, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights.

At the meeting, held in the Government Administration, Garibashvili confirmed Georgia’s commitment to fundamental human rights and freedoms, which have been guaranteed by the country’s constitution and emphasised the adoption of the second National Strategy for the Protection of Human Rights for the years 2022-2030 in March.

 

The Head of the Government said the strategy, which was designed to respond to national needs and challenges, was based on the Constitution and international human rights standards, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, adding that work was underway to develop a corresponding action plan with civil society, the Government Administration said.

Providing a healthy environment for all citizens was pointed out as one of the main priorities of the Government, with Garibashvili highlighting a number of important reforms, including the adoption of the law on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination in 2014 and the implementation of important legislative changes over the years.

The conversation touched on the progress achieved in the field of human rights protection after 2012, with the sides noting that the situation “has improved and radically changed” in this regard over the last decade. The effective work of the Human Rights Council was also emphasised.

The difficult humanitarian and human rights situation in the occupied regions of Georgia was also stressed, with the PM reaffirming his Government's commitment to the peaceful policy of conflict resolution and thanking Mijatović for her support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.