OHCHR Supports Ministry of Internal Affairs to Advance its Staff Knowledge on the European Convention on Human Rights  

Officers of the Criminal and Patrol Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia participated in the training on the right to life and the prohibition of torture – organized with the support from the European Union (EU) and the South Caucasus Field Presence of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The training was held based on the recently updated educational module and covered the Articles 2 and 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights.

“OHCHR fully supports the Government of Georgia and its efforts to improve protection of human rights. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is a key actor in ensuring respect for human rights and rule of law in the country. Therefore, the people presented here, at the training should work to safeguard fundamental human rights, including right to life and prohibition of torture,” said OHCHR Senior Human Rights Adviser for the South Caucasus Vladimir Shkolnikov. “Awareness raising on human rights is one of the key areas of OHCHR’s work in Georgia. It is noteworthy, that the training module on the right to life and prohibition of torture was revised and enriched with the support of the European Union and OHCHR.” Vladimir Shkonikov added.

“The training sessions covered very important and practical topics from our everyday activities, such as the case law of the European Court of Justice, which allows me, as an investigator to protect fundamental human rights and carry out restrictive measures in accordance with the Convention and European Court of Justice.” said one of the training participants, Investigator from Tbilisi Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Tamar Bakhia.

The sessions were led by the human rights expert – Levan Meskhoradze, OHCHR Human Rights Officer – Besarion Bokhashvili and Inspector of Especially Important Cases of the Human Rights Protection and Quality of Investigation Monitoring Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs - Mariam Balavadze.

Using practical examples and tips, participants were able to learn more about issues like the essence of the material obligation to protect the right to life, criteria for assessing the legitimacy and proportionality of the use of force, the rights of the victim in the investigation process, the concept and scope of hate crime and motive indicators, etc.

At the end of the two-day training (25-26 February 2022), OHCHR Senior Human Rights Adviser for the South Caucasus Vladimir Shkolnikov and Deputy Director of Human Rights Protection and Investigation Quality Monitoring Department at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia Ekaterine Meshveliani awarded the participants with the certificates.

OHCHR in partnership with local and international partners actively supports Georgia to develop and implement national human rights strategies, create and adopt laws and policies corresponding the human rights principles, reach out to the most vulnerable and marginalized groups and take practical steps towards an inclusive, fair and just society.