2019-10-18
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We deeply appreciate objective and sometimes even critical assessments from independent experts, Natia Mezvrishvili, the Head of the Administration of the Georgian Government, stated at today's presentation of independent international expert Maggie Nicholson's report on human rights in Georgia. Mezvrishvili also thanked the EU and UN for their contribution to enhancing human rights standards in Georgia.
"The recent period demonstrates that we are not afraid of criticism, however harsh, and we are not avoiding it. We always try to stand up to challenges and, most importantly, take active steps to overcome them. Maggie Nicholson's report is quite well balanced and objective. It reflects many steps taken by the Government toward the protection of human rights, also objective criticism, which we must take into account," the Head of the Administration of the Government emphasized.
Natia Mezvrishvili also commented on the concern of international partners over the interruption in the Human Rights Council's meetings, and added that the meetings of the acting council under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister will resume regular meetings, with the next one to be scheduled shortly.
"The meetings of the Human Rights Council under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister will resume. It will be an effective human rights mechanism and a relevant platform facilitating cooperation between various governmental institutions, the NGO sector, and international organizations. We have vast experience in this direction," Natia Mezvrishvili stated.
The Head of the Administration of the Government also spoke about the 2020 Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan, and emphasized the responsibility of the Government in the development of a new strategy.
"We assume the responsibility to make sure that our new strategy is just as balanced and consensus-based as the current one, and we will ensure maximal engagement from all partners, both the NGO sector and international organizations, in this far-reaching process. We cannot succeed in this direction unless the Human Rights Council is effective, and unless we empower the Human Rights Secretariat, and we already have concrete plans for the composition of the secretariat. In taking steps in this direction, we will take into account, among others, the studies by our partner international organizations and the NGO sector," Natia Mezvrishvili underlined.
During today's event at the Radisson Hotel, representatives of the EU and UN summarized the joint four-year Human Rights for All initiative, and presented independent international expert Maggie Nicholson's report on human rights in Georgia within the framework of said initiative.
Maggie Nicholson's report assesses the implementation of the 2014-2020 Human Rights National Strategy. In addition, it reflects the country's achievements in legislative and policy reforms, along with recommendations for the practical implementation of these legislative achievements.
The presentation of the report was attended by EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia Louisa Vinton, and Head of the Human Rights Secretariat of the Government Administration Natalia Jaliashvili, Georgia's Public Defender Nino Lomjaria, international experts, and representatives of local human rights organizations.