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From Exclusion to Equality: Georgia is Developing National Mechanism to Protect the Rights of Persons with Disabilities


03 December 2016 From Exclusion to Equality: Georgia is Developing National Mechanism to Protect the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

On 3 December 2016, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Government of Georgia presented its first report to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The event was organised with assistance from the European Union (EU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Report describes the country's progress since the ratification of the Convention in 2013. It also examines challenges faced by the country on the way to building a more inclusive and equitable environment for its citizens.The preparation of the Report was coordinated by the Human Rights Secretariat of the Administration of the Government of Georgia, in cooperation with the Parliament of Georgia and respective Ministries.

Speaking at the launch of the Report, Natalia Jaliashvili, Head of the Human Rights Secretariat of the Administration of the Government of Georgia, said:

"The protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is the foremost priority of the Government of Georgia. The state reaffirms its commitment to continue the implementation process of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. To this end, the state will develop and implement a comprehensive policy to abolish the existing social barriers that hinders persons with disabilities from their full and effective participation in all spheres of public life."

The European Union (EU) and UNDPassist Georgia to protect the rights of people with disabilities under their wider programme "Human Rights for All" funded by the European Union (EU).

"People with disabilities are able to make an enormous contribution to European society, but often face barriers that prevent them from doing so. Inclusion matters! The EU promotes active inclusion and full participation of disabled people in society, in line with the EU human rights approach to disability issues. The values of dignity, autonomy, equality and inclusion are the key EU principles," saidYvonne Gogoll, Programme Manager of the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia.

Georgia's first report to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was submitted in September 2016. This will be followed by suggestions and general recommendationson the implementation of the Convention from the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

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