Human rights

The Mission has promoted international human rights standards with the aim of integrating these fundamental principles into Georgian society and legislation. It supported national human rights institutions such as the Public Defender's Office and the Human Rights Departments of the National Security Council and the General Prosecutor's Office, as well as non-governmental organizations working in the field of human rights.

The Mission also supported a range of human rights and civil society activities in the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict and it seconded an officer to the United Nations' Human Rights Office in Abkhazia, Georgia (HROAG).

Monitoring trials and strengthening legal mechanisms

In 2006, the Mission trained and hired 10 lawyers to support victims of human rights violations. The lawyers monitored judicial proceedings over cases related to human rights, torture and human trafficking in Tbilisi, and western and eastern Georgia. Based on their observations, the lawyers and relevant experts drafted recommendations for the Government to strengthen the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.

The Mission hired four lawyers to provide legal assistance free of charge to individuals deprived of their liberty on criminal charges in the western part of Georgia.

In 2007, the Mission provided legal professionals with training on advanced legal aspects of European human rights standards.

Penitentiary system monitoring and reform

The Mission assisted Georgia in reforming its penitentiary system. In monitoring visits to penitentiary facilities throughout Georgia, assessments were made of human rights conditions or violations within the penitentiary system.

The Mission supported conferences and roundtable discussions on penitentiary reform, including on issues such as life-long imprisonment and improving access to legal aid for prisoners with serious health conditions.

Human rights education

The Mission provided human rights education in schools in the districts of Samegrelo, Ajara, Guria, Mtskheta, Imereti and Kakheti. In close co-operation with the education authorities, the Mission trained teachers in Georgia, including in the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, using the methodology of the Council of Europe COMPASS manual.

The Mission supported the integration of ethnic minorities by establishing community centres in Kvemo Kartli. The centres ran regular training sessions on Georgian and English languages, computer studies and human rights, and arrange discussion groups on topics relevant to the multi-ethnic community. Through these centres, the Mission facilitated dialogue on relevant human rights related issues between representatives of central and local government and non-governmental organizations.

Promoting human rights standards in rural areas

The Mission worked with state bodies and non-governmental and international organizations to promote human rights standards in rural areas. The Mission used a two-fold approach: implementing projects that promote human rights and working on human rights cases. The casework involved monitoring trials, providing legal advice and raising concerns about alleged human rights violations with the relevant authorities at the highest levels.

The Mission helped to strengthen human rights protection mechanisms in rural areas mainly by advising the Public Defender's Office, making free legal advice available and conducting seminars for officials, lawyers and human rights defenders.