Steps taken by the Georgian government to strengthen national human rights protection mechanisms were discussed at a meeting between Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović on Saturday.
At the meeting in the government administration, Garibashvili reaffirmed Georgia’s commitment to basic human rights and freedoms guaranteed in the country’s constitution and emphasized the adoption of the second National Strategy for the Protection of Human Rights for the years 2022-2030 March.
The prime minister said the strategy, which is designed to respond to national needs and challenges, is based on the Constitution and international human rights standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, adding that a strategy is being developed will plan of action with civil society, the government administration said.
Creating a healthy environment for all citizens has been highlighted as one of the government’s top priorities, with Garibashvili highlighting a number of important reforms, including the passage of the Law on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination in 2014 and the implementation of major legislative changes over the years.
The discussion discussed the progress made in the area of human rights protection after 2012, with both sides noting that the situation in this regard has “improved and radically changed” in the last decade. The effective work of the Human Rights Council was also highlighted.
The difficult humanitarian and human rights situation in the occupied territories of Georgia was also highlighted, with the Prime Minister reaffirming his government’s commitment to a peaceful conflict resolution policy and thanking Mijatović for its support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
