United Nations in Georgia

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth's environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Georgia:

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01 April 2021

Human capabilities and social equality top new Cooperation Framework

An inclusive economy and human capital development, effective, transparent and accountable institutions, equal and inclusive access to quality services, human security and resilience, as well as the environment and climate change are the five priority areas outlined in the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework signed by the Government of Georgia and the United Nations today. The new Cooperation Framework is firmly anchored in Georgia’s national development objectives and has one overarching priority for the coming years – enhancing human wellbeing, capabilities and social equality to make a real difference in the lives of people in Georgia. The five-year document (2021-2025) is intended to ensure that the support by all the UN agencies is aligned to Georgia’s national priorities, to the country’s aspirations and development goals. The Prime Minister of Georgia thanked the UN Resident Coordinator for the Organization’s steadfast partnership and commended the continued commitment of the United Nations to support national development priorities. Speaking on behalf of the UN Country Team the UN Resident Coordinator Sabine Machl thanked the Government of Georgia for its continued support to the UN’s work in Georgia. Under this Cooperation Framework, the UN agencies will continue supporting Georgia in its efforts to “Build Forward Better” in the wake of the global Covid-19 crisis and to set more ambitious goals and make further steps to a greener, inclusive and more sustainable development. The UN will also support the Government in strengthening its regional cooperation in key strategic areas. Particular attention will be paid to building partnerships with civil society and the private sector, whose innovative potential will be useful to achieve the objectives of the Cooperation Framework. This Cooperation Framework for 2021-2025 guides the entire programme cycle of collective UN support to Georgia to achieve the 2030 Agenda. Guided by several overarching principles - leave no one behind; a human rights-based approach; gender equality and women’s empowerment; decentralisation; resilience; sustainability; and accountability, environmental protection and innovation - the Cooperation Framework seeks to give new impetus to Georgia-UN cooperation for the next five years. The Cooperation Framework priorities have been defined and formulated in the process of multi-stakeholder consultations with representatives of UN agencies, state institutions, civil society and academia. The Cooperation Framework will be governed by the Joint National-UN Steering Committee - co-chaired by the Prime Minister and the UN Resident Coordinator.

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Press Release

25 January 2022

High-profile meeting held on improved access to justice for victims of sexual violence

Sexual violence is one of the most hidden offences in Georgia. According to the 2017 National Survey on Violence against Women, 9 per cent of women experienced sexual violence in childhood, although the rate of reporting is low. For instance, in 2020, investigations were started for only 31 cases of rape, while the courts have heard only 22 of the cases. One of the reasons behind such a grim reality is that the legislation of Georgia requires amendments, and access to justice requires improvement. In addition, women’s silence about rape is provoked by existing erroneous views and societal attitudes, which often blame victims for what happened to them. Due to this challenge, the focus of the 2021 campaign for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is on combating sexual violence. The improvement of access to justice was a topic of the high-profile meeting held on 2 December 2021. Representatives of the legislative and executive branches of the Georgian Government, the diplomatic corps and international and local non-governmental organizations attended the meeting, organized by UN Women and the UN Gender Theme Group. H.E. Sabine Machl, UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia, opened the event, stating: “We join an effort aimed at the elimination of violence against women and girls, and we support the Georgian Government in implementing international commitments in the area of human rights, including the obligations supporting gender equality and combating violence against women and girls.” Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia Ulrich Tideström stressed the importance of the topic: “We need to speak about sexual violence. And we need to act. We owe it to the victims. And we owe it to all women and girls who shouldn’t have to become victims of sexual violence. A key part must be to improve the access to justice. This also contributes to prevention by sending crystal clear signals that sexual violence is unacceptable and that perpetrators will be brought to justice. This is a global fight. We are in it together. The time to act is now! Count on Sweden’s continued support.” Participants noted that distinct political will and relevant regulations are required to improve access to justice. They discussed such issues as making the elimination of sexual violence a priority, harmonizing the national legislation with the Istanbul Convention and other international standards, and applying best practices for the prevention of sexual violence against women, among other important topics. On behalf of the Parliament of Georgia, Chair of the Gender Equality Council Nino Tsilosani expressed support in the fight aimed at the elimination of violence against women and noted that provisions of the criminal law on rape require harmonization with the Istanbul Convention. “This, as well as other proposals against violence, will definitely be initiated by the Parliament,” she stated. “In cooperation with the non-governmental sector and with strong donor support, Georgia will continue progressing to combat this global challenge.” The high-profile meeting was held within the framework of the UN Joint Programme for Gender Equality, implemented with the support of the Swedish Government.

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Press Release

14 January 2022

United Nations concerned over the decision of Georgian authorities to abolish the State Inspector’s Service

The United Nations Country Team in Georgia expresses its regret over the decision of Georgian authorities to abolish the State Inspector’s Service. On 13 January 2022 the President has signed a new law abolishing the State Inspector’s Service and creating two separate institutions: Special Investigative Service and Personal Data Protection Service. We are particularly concerned about the expedited manner and lack of inclusive and transparent discussions about the abolition of one of the most credible, independent and authoritative institutions in Georgia that is mandated to investigate alleged human rights violations committed by law enforcement officials and is entrusted with the oversight of personal data protection. The lack of convincing justification for abolishing the State Inspector’s Service and the absence of compelling rationale for stripping the State Inspector of her six-year mandate sends a chilling message to independent institutions of human rights protection. We are concerned that the substantial broadening of the list of crimes falling within the mandate of a newly created Special Investigation Service entails a serious risk of overburdening the agency and distracting its team from fulfilling its primary mandate to combat impunity. We recall the recommendation by UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment on his mission to Georgia (2015) stating concerns ‘at the risk that unduly broad jurisdiction, whether exclusive or discretionary, may make the task of the [State Inspector] overly burdensome [if] ... offences committed by law enforcement agents that are not part of the core group of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment… [fall within its mandate]’. We call on the authorities to request the opinion of relevant international institutions on the compliance of these decisions with the international standards.

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Press Release

25 January 2022

Georgian women push for inclusive and gender-equal policies

Women’s representation in municipal councils grew almost two-fold as a result of the 2021 local elections in Georgia, reaching a historical 24 percent. In the aftermath of elections, the Women Councillors Forum uniting over 490 women members of municipal councils gathered at an annual conference to discuss the new opportunities brought on by the increased number of women in elective self-government bodies and specific steps to be taken to bring women’s perspective to the local and national agenda. The event brought together women members of local councils from all regions of Georgia, and representatives from the Georgian Government, Parliament, political parties, civil society and international organizations. It discussed women’s role in advancing local politics as well as cooperation between the Parliament’s Gender Equality Council and the municipal Gender Equality Councils. The forum was organised by the Municipal Service Providers’ Association (MSPA) of Georgia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It was supported by the Government of Sweden and the International Republican Institute. “Women politicians are bringing a range of experiences and perspectives to the table – be it on social services, poverty reduction, employment or protection of the environment. We hope that newly elected women will lead on those issues to deliver great results for the Georgian society,“ said UNDP Deputy Head Anna Chernyshova. “The 2021 elections were a significant step towards more women in local politics. I hope this trend continues in future elections at all levels. It is equally important that the voices and perspectives of women politicians are heard in the public debate and impact the political decision-making on the same terms as for male politicians. Sweden has for over two decades been supporting women’s rights and empowerment in Georgia, including in politics, and will continue to do so. Gender-equal and inclusive participation in politics means a stronger democracy and better policies in all areas and is something that the Georgian voters are increasingly calling for. It also contributes to Georgia’s European integration,” noted Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia Ulrik Tideström.,” noted Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia Ulrik Tideström. The other speakers at the Forum included Nino Tsilosani, Chair of the Parliamentary Gender Equality Council; Niko Tatulashvili, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Georgia on Human Rights Issues; Mzia Giorgobiani, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia; and John DiPirro, IRI Resident Program Director. The Women Councillors’ Forum was established in 2013, with support from UNDP and Sweden. It serves as a cooperation platform encouraging Georgian women to become more active in public life and local decision-making. The work of the Forum responds to the aspirations of almost two-thirds of Georgia’s population that, according to the UNDP’s survey, think that greater involvement of women in politics would benefit the country.

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Story

01 December 2022

In the words of Ana Jibladze: “when there is an actual risk of repeated violence, electronic bracelets are an effective means of protecting victims.”

A lawyer by profession, Ana Jibladze, 26, is an N7 division community officer at the Isani-Samgori Main Division of Tbilisi Police Department. One of her most significant responsibilities and her main professional obligation is to react promptly to acts of domestic violence and violence against women. After evaluating the risks in such cases, Ana applies a number of tools to protect the interests of victims; among them is the electronic bracelet monitoring system, which has made the fight against domestic violence and violence against women more effective and has saved many lives around the world. An electronic bracelet monitoring system has been in use since 2020 in Georgia, on the initiative of UN Women, under the support of the European Union and in cooperation with the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs. I have been drawn to protecting human rights and to police work since my time as a student. A community officer is a community-oriented police officer, and that was why I became interested the minute I saw the job vacancy opening. My main objective was to provide assistance to people, especially women and children, whose rights had been violated. Even now, this is my main motivation: I want to contribute to the restoration of justice and fight against violence with whatever I can. Every new day at work is different and brings new experiences, but the most important aspect of it all is reacting to acts of domestic violence and violence against women. Every time this happens, I try to focus on the victim and use all the means at hand to protect the interests of the victim. The first step is to evaluate the risks. The next step, if needed, is to issue a restraining order which restricts the perpetrator from approaching or entering into any kind of communication with the victim. When there is an actual risk of repeated violence, electronic bracelets are an effective means of protecting victims: the perpetrator receives a special electronic device, an electronic bracelet, and if they attempt to approach the victim, the GPS system will transfer an alert signal to the 112 Public Safety Command Center. As a result, immediate measures will be taken. I have used this mechanism twice myself. In both cases, I was working with an extremely distressed and scared victim, when the risk for repeated violence was particularly high. In one of these cases, a person who had been detained for violence against his spouse, called his wife from the place of his detention just before his release and applied psychological violence against her. The women turned to us for assistance in the matter. Having evaluated all the risks, it became apparent that electronic monitoring was an absolute necessity. With consent from the victim, we fitted the braclet onto the perpetrator just before his release from detention, which was an extremely significant step in protecting the security of the victim. In general, when there is an actual risk of repeated violence, electronic bracelets are an effective means of protecting victims. Unfortunately, we have cases where the victims themselves refuse to use the mechanism. One of the reasons for refusal could be the lack of public awareness. Consequently, it is very important to use every communication channel to increase the awareness of the general public, so that those in question know how to act if they are victims of violence and are also fully aware of the tools available that protect the security of victims.”

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Story

01 December 2022

Forest My Friend

The forest is our friend, and we must protect it. People and nature should live in peace and harmony. This simple and powerful message shapes a storyline of an animated manga released today by the Embassy of Japan to Georgia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Forestry Agency (NFA). The animated graphic novel “Forest My Friend” conforms to a classic style of Japanese manga and targets the wide circles of Georgian society, from children to adults. It tells a fictional story of a human girl and a tree stump separated by war between humans and forests. As the story evolves, they put aside their differences and set on a mission to help humans and trees rediscover their lost connection. The animated graphic novel “Forest My Friend” conforms to a classic style of Japanese manga and targets the wide circles of Georgian society, from children to adults. It tells a fictional story of a human girl and a tree stump separated by war between humans and forests. As the story evolves, they put aside their differences and set on a mission to help humans and trees rediscover their lost connection. “In Japan, people of all ages and walks of life read and watch manga. It is rewarding to see that in Georgia, this unique piece of Japanese culture serves to protect forests, reduce emissions, and counter climate change,” said H.E. Imamura Akira, Ambassador of Japan to Georgia. "It is lovely to see a message of peace and harmony expressed with such style. Japan's essential support to forest protection here, in Georgia, is brought to a wide audience in this wonderful manga cartoon”, said Nick Beresford, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia. “The Government of Georgia implements important reforms to promote sustainable forest management at the national and local levels. Environmental education is a critical part of this work. It helps people explore environmental issues, engage in problem-solving, and take action to improve the environment,” said Natia Iordanishvili, Deputy Chairperson of the National Forestry Agency. The animation “Forest My Friend” was commissioned by UNDP and created by the Georgian organization “Democracy Lab” (DemLab) as part of a broader public campaign for sustainable forest management. Following the first show in Tbilisi, the animated manga will travel to the villages across Georgia where UNDP, Japan and NFA will organize film shows and discussions for schoolchildren and youth. Georgia’s Climate Promise Georgia’s lush forests cover over 43 percent of the country’s territory and provide millions of people with a source of livelihood, clean water, fresh air and disaster protection. Forests capture greenhouse gas emissions and counter the harmful effects of climate change. Nevertheless, this priceless natural resource is threatened by excessive use, illegal logging and wildfires. Almost three-quarters of Georgia’s population, especially people living in rural areas, still rely on firewood for heating and other needs. Unsustainable timber consumption reaches 2.4 million cubic meters a year, which costs Georgia around GEL446 million annually. Wildfires destroy and damage thousands of hectares of forest every year. The adoption of Georgia’s new Forestry Code in 2020 marked the launch of forestry reform aimed at promoting sustainable forest management and reducing the risk of illegal logging and wildfires. In 2021, Georgia adopted the National Climate Change Strategy and updated its Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement. According to this ambitious climate pledge, by 2030, Georgia will unconditionally reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 35 percent below the 1990 baseline level and will increase forest carbon capture capacity by 10 percent from the 2015 levels. To assist the country in achieving these goals, Japan and UNDP work in partnership with Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the National Forestry Agency, municipal authorities and local communities to introduce forest management practices that benefit nature, people and the economy. With US$920,000 in funding from Japan, UNDP assists the National Forestry Agency to build, develop and improve Business Service Yards and ensure that they provide quality services to local communities. Three Business Service Yards to be established in Mtskheta Municipality will offer around 43,000 people an alternative to illegal logging and easy access to biomass and sustainably harvested timber used for heating and other daily needs. By the end of 2022, a new Business Service Yard will be established in Jighaura village. Two more Business Service Yards in Dzegvi and Qvemo Lisi will be equipped with all-terrain vehicles and firefighting tools. Local foresters will be trained in sustainable forest management and vulnerable families from the nearby villages will receive energy-efficient stoves. UNDP and the National Forestry Agency will also carry out an information campaign to let people know why forest protection is so important. This support is part of UNDP’s global Climate Promise effort to assist 120 countries and territories to achieve their climate goals. Georgia is one of 23 countries and territories where Climate Promise is funded by Japan, the largest supporter of this pioneering and ground-breaking initiative.

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Story

27 August 2022

Strive for Visibility

Mariam Devidze, 28, an artist by profession, works as a bartender's assistant in one of the nightclubs in Tbilisi. Mariam is deaf and, like most women with disabilities, often faces discrimination and barriers. Mariam and her husband equally share the responsibility of taking care of their child, although Mariam sometimes cannot be fully involved in addressing her child's daily needs, because, for example, when receiving medical services, doctors fail to find a sign language interpreter and prefer to communicate with Mariam's husband. We introduce Mariam to you with a photo-story, which was prepared within the framework of the programme "Transforming Social Protection for Persons with Disabilities". All girls and young women in Georgia face a challenge of having to agree all their decisions with their families, but deaf girls face much more than that. After graduating from school, we are made to stay at home, we are locked up, hidden and why? Aren’t we part of this community? Don’t we need to develop? Don’t we want to be educated? We should have the right to all these. My husband is an ordinary man, I mean, he can hear and speak and he is a very good man actually. He fell in love with me and he learned the sign language to be able to communicate with me. So, that has never been a barrier in our relationship. I remember the attitude of the doctors during childbirth. In general, there are no sign language interpreters in the clinics, which complicates things. When I visit a doctor, the first thing I do is explain to them that I cannot hear and they usually ask me to bring my husband or someone else with me. And when we had our child, I remember the first thing the doctor told me was: “Congratulations, your child is normal, he can hear!” I was happy, but at the same time I somehow felt offended. Was that my choice? I was born deaf and I think that people should not be divided like that. Our main goal is to become visible in the society, to be accepted the way we are, and to be provided with services tailored to our needs - to the needs of the deaf - all the services enjoyed by other people, because we are also part of this society. About the Programme: The programme “Transforming Social Protection for Persons with Disabilities” has been jointly implemented by six UN agencies (UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, UNDP, UN Women, OHCHR) since the beginning of 2020, with the support provided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund. The purpose of the programme is to take appropriate measures to eliminate the key factors leading to the social exclusion of persons with disabilities in society, support the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and promote the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within the framework of the programme, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) worked closely with the governmental and non-governmental sectors, international and local experts, as well as with the UN agencies participating in the project. - Within the framework of the joint programme, laws and programmes related to the sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights of persons with disabilities were analysed and assessed, recommendations were developed in order to harmonize them with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has supported the updating and development of relevant strategies and action plans and integration of issues concerning violence against women with disabilities and their reproductive health and rights in the policy documents. - The effort has included facilitation of the refinement and development of the guiding documents the sexual and reproductive health services and identification and response to violence. - Within the framework of the programme, the focus has been on strengthening the participatory advocacy platforms aiming at the protection of the rights of women and young persons with disabilities and on capacitation of women with disabilities on the issues of sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender based violence. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), other participating UN agencies and donor organizations.

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Story

27 June 2022

Nina’s story: How assistive technology is improving her quality of life

On 5 November 2013, Mariam Gelashvili and her family welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Nina. Unfortunately, Nina suffered from birth asphyxia, which resulted in her spending 1 month in the intensive care unit (ICU) and consequently losing function in her arms, legs, and neck region. Soon after leaving the ICU, she started to receive rehabilitation therapy for quadriplegia. Nina, now 8 years old, has severe motor impairment, cannot speak, and struggles with holding her head up, sitting up, standing and walking independently. Despite her disability, she attends a public school in Tbilisi, Georgia, and completed first grade this summer. Mariam tells us how assistive technology (AT) and communication devices have played and continue to play an essential role in improving her daughter’s quality of life. Assistive technology improves communication and social interactions “Nina has excellent cognitive skills,” explains Mariam. “When she turned 4, I was advised to buy an eye gaze device to help her communicate with us better. An eye gaze device allows a person to control a tablet or computer using their eyes. She mainly uses this device at home, just like one would use communication cards. I have created cards for her to express when she is hungry, wants to go outside, or watch TV. When she selects a card, she is asked a follow-up question. For example, when she indicates that she wants to watch TV, she is shown a list of shows to choose from.” Although the device helps Nina communicate her needs, her poor vision does not permit her to spend more than 1 hour a day on the tablet. In addition, as she grows, so do her needs. She now relies on 2 different speech-generating devices to communicate with her peers at school. These devices allow her to share several pre-recorded messages by just tapping on a large, coloured button. Mariam has programmed several greetings, questions, and answers within the device to facilitate her social interactions. “Every morning, I prepare new recordings, which also include information about her previous day, so that when she is asked about it, she can respond easily,” says Mariam. The speech devices have also helped Nina interact with her classmates directly. “Sometimes Nina gets bored in the classroom and starts feeling restless,” she adds. “I have programmed a command for her to indicate when she wants to go out. When her classmates hear her press this command, those sitting next to her usually turn to her and explain that they also want to go out but need to be patient.” At school, Nina is supported by her homeroom teacher, a special needs teacher, and a personal assistant who spends the entire day with her. Her elementary school is taking additional steps to ensure she is included in all school activities and does not feel left out. For example, with the help of her devices, she assists her teachers in asking questions to her peers. During music or sports classes, where her participation is somewhat limited, she has been assigned the task of using her controls to indicate the start of the activity. Nina also enjoys listening to her classmates, so her teachers involve her in class discussions regularly by asking her for feedback on her classmates' responses. Consort World changing lives in Georgia Limited access to AT remains a challenge in Georgia, as does the lack of trained therapists with knowledge in this particular field. Consort World has been a renowned and trusted name in AT and eye tracking since 2006 in the Middle East and North Africa. With financial support from Consort World's Managing Director, Camille Matta, Mariam founded Consort Georgia to support Georgian children with special needs. Recently, the nongovernmental organization joined forces with one of the biggest local rehabilitation centres, the Ken Walker University Clinic for Medical Rehabilitation, to provide children with AT-aided therapy and training for health workers. The Ken Walker Clinic now hosts Consort Georgia, and together they are increasing awareness of and access to AT across the country. Thanking WHO/Europe for its continued support to the country, Mariam says, “It means a lot, especially for families with disabled children. So many countries, like ours, face continued challenges in providing inclusive high-quality health care. Without WHO Georgia’s support, the situation would be worse.” WHO/Europe is working with the Government of Georgia to strengthen access to rehabilitation services and assistive products in the country. The programme is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

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Press Release

01 February 2023

The Judicial School 2023 Completed

The 5th Judicial Winter School 2023, which ran from January 22-26, 2023, has come to an end. The School enhanced the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of twenty participants, consisting of judicial assistants, representatives of court analytical units, judicial interns, and graduating law school students. 2023 The Judicial School was held under the auspices of the High School of Justice, co-organized by the USAID Rule of Law Program, Council of Europe (CoE), and the South Caucasus presence of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN OHCHR). The topics covered by the eleven invited experts included the latest practices of the Constitutional Court of Georgia and the European Court of Human Rights, children's rights, national and international standards related to the prohibition of discrimination, freedom of expression, personal and family life immunity, current business law issues, legal writing, and decision-making. “OHCHR is mandated to promote and protect the enjoyment and full realization by all people of their human rights in the spirit of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 75th anniversary of which we are celebrating this year. Capacity building of the judiciary was and will remain one of the priorities of the OHCHR. We are happy to continue to support this initiative and hope that the Winter School enables participants to acquire not only theoretical knowledge, but also practical tools for acting in the spirit of the principles of fair trial,” - emphasized UN OHCHR Human Rights Projects Manager, Sopho Benashvili. USAID Rule of Law Program Deputy Chief of Party Neil Weinstein in his welcome notes stated that “one of the goals of the Program is to build the capacity of individual judges and court personnel. The Winter School, which USAID has supported since 2018, is part of that effort. Our support for the Winter School is in recognition of the important role judicial assistants and other court personnel play in Georgia’s judicial system and the importance of professional and independent judges and court staff in Georgia.” “Judicial School of Justice, which has been supported by the CoE from the day of its creation, is a unique platform that enables judicial professionals to further their professional development, thereby improving their knowledge and skills. It also creates the opportunity for judicial professionals to network with their peers from other courts, share best practices, and exchange experiences.” – said Senior Project Officer, EU/CoE co-funded project “Support to the Judicial Reform in Georgia,” Ushangi Bakhtadze. At the end of the Winter School the participants were given tests, based on which the first- and second-place winners will be identified. The first-place winner will join a study tour to the U.S. together with ten civil and administrative Georgian judges. The runner-up will visit the European Court of Human Rights and Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France to study mechanisms of human rights protection in Europe.

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Press Release

14 December 2022

Human Rights Day strikes debate on human rights reforms and economic, social and cultural rights

As Georgia gets ready to adopt its National Human Rights Strategy for 2023-2030, the European Union (EU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) create a space for discussion on ongoing reforms on administrative offences regulatory framework and the effective realisation of economic, social and cultural rights, bringing together decision-makers, civil society, and human rights defenders. The conference “Stand up for Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All” echoes Human Rights Day theme and calls on the Government, Parliament, civil society organizations and communities to work together and seek solutions to the challenges that prevent Georgia’s citizens, especially representatives of the vulnerable communities and minority groups, from fully enjoying their Constitutionally guaranteed rights. Mikheil Sarjveladze, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights and Civil Integration; and Niko Tatulashvili, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Georgia on Human Rights Issues, opened the conference. Catalin Gherman, Acting Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia; Nick Beresford, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia, and Vladimir Shkolnikov, Senior Human Rights Advisor for the OHCHR’s South Caucasus Office, addressed the participants with welcome remarks. “The European Union supports a constructive discussion on human rights between decision-makers and civil society. The new National Human Rights Strategy and the follow-up Action Plan should encompass the rights of all social groups, including the vulnerable and marginalised communities, and come with solutions to address the challenges linked to discrimination and exclusion in Georgia". Catalin Gherman, Acting Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia “We bring economic, social and cultural rights to the centre of the discussion on human rights challenges faced by minority groups – especially the most vulnerable, such as the national and religious minorities and the LGBTQI+ community. The conference will help produce policy reforms and practical measures to support Georgia’s progress toward an equal, just and fair society". Nick Beresford, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia “Whenever and wherever humanity's values are abandoned, we all are at greater risk. The solutions to today’s greatest crises are rooted in human rights. Thus, it is a primary obligation of officials in all states, including Georgian authorities, to respect the rights and dignity of all individuals regardless of their race, colour, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, age or other grounds. Stigmas and deep-rooted stereotypes should not have room in contemporary Georgia". Vladimir Shkolnikov, Senior Human Rights Advisor for the OHCHR’s South Caucasus Office The event is part of the ongoing Human Rights Week which kickstarts a year-long campaign acknowledging and promoting the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The campaign will reach out to wide circles of Georgia’s society bringing together an array of partners and supporters, including the Government, Parliament, civil society, the private sector, community organizations, international agencies and diplomatic missions. ### “Human Rights for All” is a US$3 Million EU-funded initiative supporting Georgia to promote respect for human rights, strengthen human rights protection in all areas of life, and address the remaining issues of concern. The initiative is implemented by the two UN agencies – UNDP and OHCHR, in close collaboration with national partners and stakeholders.

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Press Release

13 December 2022

Nearly 400 million people across Europe and Central Asia need rehabilitation care for health conditions, but most aren’t getting it

394 million people in Europe and Central Asia live with a health condition that requires rehabilitation care, but the majority of people aren’t getting the care they need. Rapidly ageing populations, a significant increase in the number of people living with chronic conditions, and lack of awareness about the benefits of rehabilitation are among the main drivers of this unmet need across Europe and Central Asia. People’s quality of life can be limited by ageing, a health condition—including chronic conditions— or an injury or trauma. Rehabilitation can support these people as they go about their daily lives. The report shows that the majority of people requiring these services aren’t getting the care they need, leading to an estimated total of 49 million years of healthy lives lost because of a health condition requiring rehabilitation. Some of the key barriers to people’s access to rehabilitation include little awareness of what rehabilitation is, how it works and its benefits as well as misconceptions about affordability. Crucially, a serious shortage of rehabilitation professionals is stopping people in some parts of the European Region from getting the rehabilitation care they need. The report highlights that there are 12 times fewer physiotherapists, 141 times fewer occupational therapists and six times fewer prosthetics and orthotics professionals in middle-income countries than in higher-income ones. In the Region as a whole, some of the most common conditions that drive the need for rehabilitation include low back pain, fractures, hearing and vision loss, as well as stroke and dementia. As these conditions affect people’s lives, including their ability to work, countries face millions of dollars in costs due to lack of economic productivity and rising poverty and joblessness. The primary focus of rehabilitation is to support someone with a health condition to improve and maintain their functioning. Difficulties in functioning occur because of impairments such as pain or muscle weakness and limitations in activities, such as self-care or walking. Importantly, rehabilitation should be available in primary health care settings, where most cases of chronic diseases are managed, and in popular community settings, such as homes and schools. There is progress, but much more needed to make rehabilitation more widely available Evidence shows that rehabilitation activities are cost-effective and help to achieve and maintain the best outcomes of other health interventions. Crucially, access to rehabilitation supports the realization of the right of all people to health. Research shows that rehabilitation has the potential to avoid costly hospitalization and reduce the time spent in a hospital, decrease re-admissions and lower the risks of complications due to health problems. By improving functions and the ability to participate in everyday life, rehabilitation cuts the costs of ongoing care and supports individuals to participate in education and employment. WHO Regional Office for Europe is urging countries to: Prioritize rehabilitation and acknowledge it as an essential health service for millions of people, including during emergencies. Integrate rehabilitation in all levels of the health care system – in primary health, community services, hospitals and specialist centres. Everyone should have access to the rehabilitation they need. Support the development of an adequate and well-trained multidisciplinary rehabilitation workforce, to deliver these services. Watch a Video: https://bit.ly/3FNZKiL

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Press Release

12 December 2022

The global human rights system is a common heritage of humankind: UN experts

GENEVA (9 December 2022) – Extraordinary progress has been made to secure the rights of all persons since the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, UN experts said today, as the world marks the beginning of a year celebrating the 75th anniversary of the declaration. Ahead of Human Rights Day 2022, the Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council issue the following joint statement: “This Human Rights Day, 10 December 2022, marks the beginning of a year celebrating the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Since then, extraordinary progress has been made in relation to the rights of all persons and root causes for systemic violations on human rights have been given visibility and addressed by a vigorous global human rights system that is a common heritage of humankind, a heritage that should unite us, not divide us. These significant achievements should not lead us to underestimate remaining and emerging challenges, which include but are not limited to discrimination, the erosion of democracy, climate crisis and armed conflict and protracted war. We, the Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups that comprise the Special Procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council, restate our determination to address these challenges by putting human rights squarely at the centre of our response. Next year will bring crucial moments and opportunities to jointly solidify our vision for the future of human rights and multilateralism, reinvigorating the immense hope that led to the creation of the human rights system 75 years ago. For these opportunities not to be missed, we urge everyone, State and non-State actors alike, to embrace, support, and sustain multilateralism and its institutions to further human rights, peace, security and development. We are committed to using the next year for thoughtful and ambitious considerations on our role, and the role of the international community, to shape a next 75 years of furtherance of human rights for all persons. We should put our ambition high and focus on, building and realising a transformative human rights system that will underpin the next 75 years of global history. We also reaffirm our commitment to a multilateralism that is built on the principles of non-discrimination, participation, empowerment and accountability. As the UN has embarked on key processes to shape its future, especially the one leading to its Summit for the Future, we call on all to join us in this endeavour. Human rights should be our common language to build trust between the UN and the people we serve.” #UDHR75

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