A/HRC/31/15
26.
Georgia reported that it had made significant progress in the protection of labour
rights, including through amendments to the Labour Code in 2013 based upon International
Labour Organization standards. A mediation service had been created in order to prevent
and resolve labour disputes, along with a State programme for the monitoring of labour
conditions. The Government would continue to strengthen the labour inspectorate
mechanism.
27.
Georgia stated that its civic integration policy was aimed at protecting the rights of
national minorities, ensuring civic integration and supporting the further development of a
tolerant environment. The civic equality and integration strategy, and the respective action
plan, for 2015-2020 would further contribute to ensuring equality, the participation of
ethnic minorities in all spheres of public life and the preservation of their cultures and
identities.
28.
Georgia highlighted the launch in 2013 of the “Georgia 2020” socioeconomic
development strategy, aimed at guaranteeing the right to health and a universal health-care
programme, as well as the launch of a programme to eliminate hepatitis C, providing the
population with a pre-diagnostic examination, the latest medicines and monitoring.
29.
The delegation stated that Georgia had consistently pursued policies aimed at
ensuring the full enjoyment of rights for the entire population, but the foreign military
occupation of Georgia’s regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia gravely affected
the human rights situation in those regions. It noted that human rights violations occurred
frequently in the occupied territories, including but not limited to subjecting people to
arbitrary detention, systematic violation of property rights, restrictions on the freedom of
movement and denial of the right to education in one’s native language. It was concerned
that, in 2011, the occupying forces had intensified the process of installing barbed wire
fences and other obstacles along the occupation line in both regions. Georgia was
particularly alarmed that no international monitoring mechanisms were allowed access and
quoted the assessment by the former Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay of the
Tskhinvali region as “a black hole” and “one of the most inaccessible places on earth, with
no access permitted for international agencies”. It stated that the dire situation clearly
demonstrated the urgent need for the active involvement of OHCHR and the special
procedure mandate holders.
B.
Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review
30.
Croatia commended Georgia for its achievements in addressing torture and
ill-treatment in the prison system. It welcomed the adoption of the anti-discrimination law
and the proclamation of 2014 as the year of women’s rights.
31.
The Czech Republic acknowledged the genuine efforts that had been made by
Georgia to improve respect for human rights and the rule of law since the previous review
cycle.
32.
Denmark commended Georgia for the progress achieved on the four
recommendations it had put forward during the first review. It was concerned by the
extensive use of pretrial detention and the occurrence of lengthy detentions that were
disproportionate to the crimes alleged.
33.
Djibouti welcomed the progress made in the implementation of recommendations
accepted during the previous review cycle, including the adoption of the Law on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination.
6
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