Georgia - Universal Periodic Review

UPR 37, January 26, 2021
Recommendations by Canada

Background

Georgia is party to several international and European human rights conventions, and human rights are guaranteed by the country’s constitution. The Public Defender of Georgia, a constitutional institution elected by the parliament, oversees and advises on the state of human rights and freedoms in Georgia to ensure compliance with international standards.

Despite Georgia’s enactment of a wide range of legislation on human rights and adoption of its first comprehensive long-term Human Rights Strategy (2014-2020), there is still progress to be made on fully implementing previous UPR recommendations.

The disproportionate use of force by law enforcement authorities against protestors and human rights activists, and the lack of accountability for such abuses, is of concern, as the exercise of the right to freedom of assembly is enshrined in the Georgian constitution.

Obstacles remain to ensuring an independent judiciary and trust in prosecutorial and investigatory agencies has decreased in recent years, due to shortcomings in holding individuals and authorities accountable for human rights violations. 

Violence or threats of violence targeting LGBTQ2I persons and minorities, particularly by ultra-right extremist and nationalist groups, remains a serious concern. Victims of gender-based violence, particularly those who experience additional forms of marginalization, face legal impediments in accessing effective service provision such as state shelters.

Women and minority groups continue to be under-represented in decision-making processes and policy-making, despite Georgia’s international and domestic commitments to an inclusive political and human rights environment.

Recommendations

Thank you, Madam President.

Canada welcomes the strides made by Georgia under its Human Rights National Strategy, including the establishment of the first Human Rights Department in 2018 under the Ministry of Interior Affairs and the relaunching of a council responsible for human rights.

Canada recommends that Georgia:

1. Strengthen mechanisms for accountability of law enforcement abuses, including by equipping the State Inspector’s Service with the necessary resources and support to effectively implement its mandate.
2. Improve mechanisms to ensure the independence and impartiality of the judiciary to encourage greater public trust in the rule of law, including by prioritizing transparent and fair guidelines in judicial appointments.
3. Continue to implement and expand measures to uphold the rights of LGBTQ2I individuals, including by ensuring full investigations into abuses and addressing hate speech.  
4. Strengthen the protection of the economic and social rights of internally-displaced persons and asylum-seekers.

Canada notes that important steps still need to be taken to strengthen existing investigatory and anti-discrimination mechanisms.