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March-August. 2014

Greetings to all!
It is a great honor for me to greet you on behalf of PHR
and give you the possibility to assess our work
performed in the last six months. In the sphere of
Human Rights the human is the expert. The lawyers can
only articulate the violated right. There are no successful
and unsuccessful cases for people working in the field of
human rights. We all serve the idea of human rights
which was born alongside the human race. As society
develops the methods of struggle change, but the aim
remains the same. Nowadays as well as in the age of
antiquity or medieval era, human rights activists
contributed to the formation of civil culture in society
through their own work which is based on the
supremacy of the idea of human rights equally
protecting everyone.
With Kind Regards,
Ana Abashidze
The Head of the Organization

Our Mission
Protecting the rights of various
social groups, such as: children,
people with disabilities, elderly
people and others, enhancement
of gender equality and support
womens civil and political
participation.

PHR.HumanRights

Partnership for Human Rights PHR was founded in

2012 and since then, in accordance with the
organizations mission, performs the following
activities:
1. Raising the legal awareness of disabled persons,
women, children, elder people and other
vulnerable groups, consulting and providing legal
assistance in order for them to exercise their own
rights,
2. Organizing the events which promote the social
integration of disabled persons, women, children,
elderly people and other vulnerable groups
3. Collecting and processing information about the
situation regarding protection of rights of
vulnerable groups of people throughout the
country. Creating statistics and analyzing the data.
Submitting respective recommendations to the
responsible stakeholders.

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PHRgeorgia.wordpress.com

For the past 10 years, he has worked in the field of the protection of rights of disabled
persons and has fought against discrimination. He has conducted a number of
monitoring, as well as educational, courses in the field of human rights in terms of equal
opportunities, increasing accessibility and supporting UN Convention on Rights of
Disabled Persons (2006).

Koba Nadiradze

Since 2003 she has worked in the Neuro-rehabilitation and day centers for disabled
children, UN Childrens Fund, Office of Public Defender of Georgia, the Coalition for
Independent Living granted a certificate of honor for contribution to well-being of
disabled persons. She is an author of several studies and monitoring reports concerning
situations of rights of disabled persons, children and elderly people in Georgia.

Anna Arganashvili

For seven years she has worked in human rights protection NGOs, international
organization (UN Women), Office of Public Defender of Georgia, she is a trainer of trainers,
in the frame of European Union and Council of Europe joint initiative Empowerment of
Lawyers Capacity for Use of European Convention on Human Rights and Amended European
Charter on National Level. She is an author of several monitoring reports and publications
regarding human rights.
At the moment she represents the head of the organization Partnership for Human Rights
PHR.

Ana Abashidze

Since 2009 she has worked in the human rights protection NGOs, state agencies and Office
of Public Defender of Georgia. She is a researcher; she participated in the preparation of
state policy documents in the field of childrens rights (among them disabled children).
Nowadays she supervises PHRs project called Supporting Rights and Capacities of Disabled
Persons to provide their Participation in the Work of Local Self-Government.

Nana Gochiashvili

Since 2013 she has worked at the NGO Partnership for Human Rights. She is involved in the
field of human rights and democratic citizenship education. She participates in the project
Empowerment of Women against Labor Discrimination and Gender based Violence.
She takes part in various international projects, such as: EU project Democracy at School and
the project about voluntarism implemented by UN Association of Georgia.

Nana Abashidze

In 2012-2013 she was an intern at the Office of Public Defender of Georgia. Since
December 2013 she is an Office Manager, she is involved in the project Empowerment
of Women against Labor Discrimination and Gender based Violence.

Tatia Janelidze

Sophiko is a student. Since January 2014 she is an intern at the organization

Partnership for Human Rights.

Sofiko Zirakashvili

Lela is a graduate of GIPA, Journalism and Media Management Caucasian School, PR

Masters Program. Since April 2014 she works for the organization Partnership for Human
Rights on the position of PR specialist.

Lela Berishvili

After graduation from the Law faculty Nino completed an internship program at the
Department of Gender Equality, Public Defenders Office. She was involved in the activities
of a number of international organizations in the field of youth empowerment during
various periods of time. Nowadays she is involved in the project Elimination of
Discrimination towards Internally Displaced, Elderly and Disabled Women in Georgia.

Nino Iakobidze

Since 2011 she has worked in human rights protection NGOs. She used to participate in the
projects of protection of disabled children. At the moment she is involved in the PHR project
Mainstreaming of Issues of Disabled Persons in the State Action Plan against Gender based
Violence and Protection of Women with Psycho-Social Needs Placed in Psychiatric Institutions
from Violence.

Katie Bakhtadze

Presentation of PHR Projects

On 6 March 2014, the EU delegation in Georgia conducted the presentation / exhibition of 34 new
projects for civil society members working on human rights protection at Hall of Qarvasla.
The organization Partnership for Human Rights PHR presented in total three new projects with
EU funding and which is implemented in partnership with Georgian Young Lawyers Association,
Article 42 of the Constitution and Anti-Violence Network of Georgia, Youth Centre of Independent
Living and Organization and Accessible Environment for Everyone.
The project aims to protect rights of disabled persons, women with psycho-social needs and
women subjected to oppression at work place and discrimination and conduct advocacy.

Package of Legislative Amendments

On 6 March 2013, the workshop with the representatives of Media and
Political Parties was conducted at the Sheraton Metekhi Palace which
covered the topics related to preparation of package of legislative
amendments in the field of protection of rights of disabled persons. The
project implementation is supported by the Ministry of Labor, Health and
Social Affairs of Georgia. The technical support is provided by the
organization Coalition for Independent Living, with the support of the
USAID and in the frame of the project Advocacy for Disabled Capacities.
For drafting the package of legislative amendments the main group of
experts has already been formed which includes the following people: the
judges of the Supreme Court of Georgia, national and foreign specialists
working on disabled peoples issues. The working group is coordinated and
supervised by Ana Abashidze, the Head of the organization Partnership for
Human Rights.

In Tserovani with the BookMobile

On 8 March 2014, the PHR representatives visited
Tserovani and met the children in BookMobile of the
American Embassy where they talked about Rosa Parks
the Leader of the Civil Rights Movement in America, they
watched the movie Untold Herstories, the children got
information about lives of Barbare Jorjadze and Ekaterine
Gabashvili, as well as the information about the Feminist
Movement in Georgia and they read Kato Mikeladzes
letters. PHR expresses its gratitude towards the South
Caucasus Office of the Heinrich Boell Foundation for the
books which were given to the children and the American
Embassy for BookMobile, where the meeting was held.

Early Marriage in Georgia

The figures of early marriage still remain high in Georgia. According to the official data starting
from October 2011 up to 14 January 2013, more than 7,367 girls interrupted their studies
before completing the basic level of education at Georgian public and private schools (7th-9th
grades). One of the major reasons for that is an early marriage which quite often is forced by
the family of origin. Two days ago the information was spread by Media sources, a 16 year old
girl committed a suicide for that particular reason, in the village of Karajala. The investigation is
ongoing and the final details regarding this case are not known yet. But for the human rights
activists and the organizations working in the field of gender based violence this fact
demonstrated that the early marriages are an unsolved problem in Georgia. The Radio
Tavisupleba (Radio Liberty) discussed that particular topic with Ana Abashidze, the head of the
organization Partnership for Human Rights.
The author of the program and the anchor Eka Qevanishvili

Advocacy of the Rights of People with Disabilities

On 17 March 2014, the meeting with the judges of the Supreme Court of Georgia, the
representative of the organization Disability Rights International and the judge of the US Federal
Court was conducted at the association Anika, which was organized by the organization
Coalition for Independent Living. The main topic of the meeting was the experience of United
States of America in the field of advocacy of rights of disabled persons. The conversation touched
on current challenges, such as: the rehabilitation of disabled persons, social integration,
restoration of violated rights through the court and other important issues. The participants
shared their experience in the field of protection of disabled persons rights.

On 19 March 2014, the joint meeting between the international organization Disability
Rights International and non-governmental organization Partnership for Human
Rights was conducted which covered the protection of disabled persons and childrens
rights and defining the 2014 Advocacy Strategy and capacities in Georgia.
Mr. Richard Norland, the US Ambassador to Georgia, the representatives of national
NGOs working in the field of childrens and disabled persons rights attended the
meeting. The major challenges concerning the protection of rights of disabled persons
were discussed in the meeting and later a discussion followed. The representatives of
the international organization shared American experiences and strategies for problem
solution with the civil society representatives.

Training for Women with Disabilities

On 29-30 March, the PHR representatives conducted the

training for women with disabilities who are leaders of the
movement and their supporters.

Why is a Woman not Equal to a Man in Georgia?

On 14 March 2014, the public discussion on the topic Why is a woman

not equal to a man in Georgia was organized by the South Caucasus
Regional Office of Heinrich Boll Foundation in the South Caucasus in
Kutaisi.
The main speakers in the meeting were: Ana Arghanashvili from the
organization Partnership for Human Rights, Mirian Ebanoidze Kutaisi
Akaki Tsereteli State University, Professor, Philosopher and Nato
Qatamadze the Assistant to the Chair of Georgian Parliament.
The meeting was moderated by Qetevan Berdzenishvili, radio Dzveli
Qalaqi.
The participants of the meeting discussed the reasons causing the gender
inequality, necessity for the empowerment and support of women, the
role of state and society for the progress of this direction.

On 21 March 2014, the public discussion on the topic: Why

is a woman not equal to a man in Georgia was conducted in
Batumi, with the support of the South Caucasus Regional
Office of Heinrich Boll in the South Caucasus.
The main presenters in the meeting were: Ana Arghanashvili
from the organization Partnership for Human Rights,
Medea Vasadze, the member of the Supreme Council of
Adjara Autonomous Republic and Emzar Kakhidze, the
professor and historian of the Batumi Shota Rustaveli State
University. Nata Imedashvili moderated the meeting (Radio
Tavisupleba).
The participants discussed the reasons causing gender
inequality, the necessity of empowerment and support of
women, the role of state and society for achieving the
progress in this field.

Gender-based Violence and Domestic

Violence
On 25 March 2014, the organization Partnership for Human
Rights (PHR) along with the Georgias Reforms Association
(GRASS) organized a work meeting.
The meeting was attended by the NGOs working on womens
rights and gender equality.
The main aim of the meeting was defining the role of NGOs
working on womens rights for submission of shadow reports
within the framework of international treaties. The topics
related to gender violence and domestic violence were also
discussed during the meeting.

Advocacy of Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The organization Partnership for Human Rights

participated in the meeting organized by the nongovernmental organization Coalition for Independent
Living which was attended by Mr. John Vodac, the
expert on rights of disabled persons (one of the authors
of the draft law regarding rehabilitation of disabled
persons and anti-discrimination act (ADA) of disabled
persons operating in the USA), the representatives of
the Georgian Ministry of Health and Ministry of Justice
and the judges of the Supreme Court.
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Panorama Tbilisi - Public Discussion

On 7 April, a public discussion of the major concept of Panorama Tbilisi project was
conducted in the hotel Holiday Inn by the initiative of Tbilisi City Hall. PHR
representatives attended the discussion managed to inform the disabled persons and
their supporters several days before the meeting, through social media.
As a result, the beneficiaries of Martkopi residential institution for disabled persons
along with the other disabled persons attended the public discussion.
In order to ensure the enjoyment of civil and political rights by people with
disabilities within the local self-government, PHR along with Article 42 of the
Constitution and the Movement Accessible Environment for Everyone runs the
project Realization of Electoral Right of Disabled Persons and Capacities for
Participation in the Work of Local Self-Government, funded by the EU.

Violence Towards Children at Public School

Ana Abashidze, the Head
of PHR, talks at Radio
Utsnobi

Please see the records of

the program over here:

The discussion at the office

of Front Line Georgia with
the initiative of four NGOs

Please see the records of the

program over here:

Campaign for Supporting the Children Living and Working in the Streets
On 12 April, a march regarding the International Day of Children
Living and Working in the Streets was conducted from the metro
station Rustaveli to metro station Freedom Square.
The campaign was organized by the NGOs such as: Institute for
Non-Violent Communication, GCRT, Partnership for Human
Rights, Sapari, Kamara and the volunteers interested in this
field.
The campaign aimed to remind society and the state about the
duties which we have towards the children living and working in
the street.
At the time the campaign was being held, participants were
delivering the information about the children living and working
in the street to the Ministry of Healthcare which was received
during the movement through the hotline (1505).
The above mentioned organizations and volunteers will also, in
future, remind the state and society about their duties and
actively work for protection of childrens rights in future.

Statement Regarding the Anti-Discrimination Law

The signing organizations express our concern and criticize the draft law on elimination of all forms of discrimination
presented to the Georgian Parliament by the Georgian Government, we consider that current version represents a step back
from the model and standards of fighting against discrimination which was drafted by the Ministry of Justice along with the
active participation of civil society and was positively assessed by the international organizations. The effective repressive
and preventive tools for elimination of discrimination is missing in the draft law initiated by the government which foresaw
the fines for the offender and control tools of obligatory activities for the elimination of discrimination. Also, the
competence of the Public Defender and procedural guaranties during discussion of discrimination facts and their
enforcement are weak and ineffective.
The argument of the government was that the state agencies and society are not ready for the repressive and effective tools
for implementation could not be foreseen as the tools for the fight against discrimination also covers the educational,
preliminary preventive activities and fines which can be applied as extreme legal measures.
The paragraphs 2 and 3 of the article 5 are especially arguable, which sets unjustified restrictions for incorrect enforcement
of legal provisions and abuse of ones power and presents the law interpretation from the perspective of dominant groups
which is legally unjustified and invalid. But it demonstrates the value of the draft law. In this regard the it is especially
irrelevant to make a separate indication that none of the legal provisions could be interpreted in opposition to the
Constitutional Agreement between the state and Georgian Orthodox Church as the Constitution itself declares the priority
of the norms and principles of international law in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms in comparison with
the Constitutional Agreement. The frame of the Constitutional Agreement does not exceed beyond the contracting parties
relations and does not consider different treatment to the third parties, which in this case could be assessed as
discrimination.
According to the above mentioned we consider that adoption of the current draft law which slightly widens the competence
of Public Defender; doesnt change the current legislative reality significantly and wont become an effective tool for fighting
against discrimination. Accordingly we call the government to reflect its efforts made towards equality in the country into
effective legislative and institutional guaranties. For that particular reason we apply to the Parliament as well as the
Government to ensure public and fair discussion regarding the draft law and express their readiness for making
amendments and changes to the draft law. Also we ask for the following steps:
- Formation of specialized independent groups fighting against discrimination under the mandate of the Public Defender
which will be granted with the repressive function and adequate guaranties of independence. In this regard it is important
that the group gathers experienced experts working in the field of human rights protection who have liberal and solidarity
values.
-Take responsibility for institutional empowerment of Public Defenders Office by the state which means additional
budgetary and human resources;
- Omission of paragraphs 2 and 3, article 5 of the draft law regarding abuse of ones power.
Bringing effective guaranties of consideration for adequate study of discrimination facts which also means delivering burden
of proof on the side of the defendant that there was no discrimination and also duty for submission information and
documents to private persons regarding information delivery;
- Defining the competence of Public Defender to present the victims of discrimination before the court;
- Increasing effectiveness of control mechanisms for enforcement of recommendations for elimination of discrimination as
well as settlement conditions
We consider that the presented draft law wont be an effective mechanism for fighting against discrimination if there is not
the possibility to fine the person committed a discriminative act. The existence of fine mechanism is considered to be a
significant necessity without it the adoption of the current law could lack its real meaning.
In total 30 organizations signed the mentioned application.

Ana Abashidze, the Head of PHR,

talks at Radio Tavisupleba
Please see the records of the program here:

The Guidelines for Hydrocephaly

Situation in Georgia is Operational

Information Session in Pankisi

On 7 May the PHR representative, by the invitation of Women
Information Centre, conducted an information session for the
members of Pankisi Elder Community, medical staff and social
workers. The information session covered international and
local tools for protection from domestic violence and violence
against children.

On 25 April the Georgian Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs

made a presentation of the guidelines for the hydrocephaly situation.
In December 2013 the PHR in cooperation with local NGOs (nongovernmental organization Women Initiatives Supporting Group, nongovernmental organization Sapari) protested the inappropriate
treatment towards children with hydrocephaly disease, inadequate
medical management, also violation of rights of disabled persons
through the petition. The petition was signed by 2,100 supporters and
up to 50 NGOs.
The petition demands were based on the monitoring in state care
institutions made by Public Defender of Georgia in 2012 and Disability
Rights International in 2013 where the inappropriate treatment and
inadequate care towards disabled persons were observed. In particular
the high number of death of children with hydrocephaly disease and
outdated medical treatment were revealed. During the presentation
made today the Minister, David Sergeenko talked about checking the
monitoring results of Public Defender and International Organization
which proved the necessity for drafting the fore mentioned regulations.
According to new guidelines the in-time diagnosis of children with
hydrocephaly will be conducted within 7 days of being born, while
urgent surgery will be planned between 48 hours to 5 days. According to
the standard another type of in-time and adequate medical treatment
are also foreseen.
The organization Partnership for Human Rights welcomes the drafting
of the aforementioned regulations and considers that this topic has
become popular due to the activities of NGOs. This is the first step
forwarded by the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs based on
the monitoring results of rights of disabled persons and response to the
claim of civil society organizations. The mentioned event demonstrates
that activities in the field of protection of rights of disabled persons,
children and other groups in Georgia will continue through strong
advocacy campaigns provided by the civil society.

Be Empowered and Change

On 15 and 16 May the PHR representative, by the
invitation of Children and Youth Centre, conducted the
training in the frame of the project Be Empowered and
Change.
What is tolerance? Why do we have to be tolerant
towards everyone and what effect does an intolerant
attitude have?

Ana Abashidze, the Head of PHR, in the program Grey Zone, Radio GIPA
The project aimed to empower the social network of family members of disabled persons
throughout Tbilisi and other Georgian regions (Telavi and Batumi) in order to actively
advocate rights of disabled persons in state agencies.

Please see the records of the program over here:

Partnership for Human Rights Responds to Frequent Murders of

Woman
During the last few months civil society expressed its concern regarding ineffectiveness of state in the field of the fight
against gender violence. But state agencies remain indifferent towards these notifications. Moreover, state agency
representatives were often happy with the results of fight against domestic violence and violence against women. While
the reality of May 2014 shows a different picture.
During March and May 2014 up to 15 cases demonstrating the murders of women by spouses or ex-spouses were
broadcasted by the media sources.
Neglecting the recommendations of civil society has become fatal for actual people, while society expressed an extremely
negative attitude towards actions of state agencies and expressed its protest. All this could have been prevented if the
state agencies paid attention to the obvious signs of the ineffectiveness of the fight against gender violence:
According to the formal statistics, as of December 2013, in total, 5447 calls regarding domestic conflict were observed in
the 112 emergency operative management centers; out of which 212 preventive orders were issued. While in 2011 in total
257 preventive orders were issued, and in 2012 a total of 307 orders. It is obvious that the reaction has weakened when
compared to the previous years.
Since 2006, when the Georgian Law on Elimination of Domestic Violence, Protection of Victims of Domestic Violence and
Assistance was enforced, article 8 of the aforementioned law did not enter into being which could prevent future violence,
as the social services could study the reasons for domestic violence before committing violent act, analyze the problem
and assist family members in conflict resolution. The risk groups subjected to domestic violence could be revealed
beforehand and assisted in overcoming the crisis. The state postponed the enforcement of this article until 2015 on the
grounds of lacking adequate resources. The police are not able to prevent domestic violence in the early stages of
domestic conflict. In fact, none of the medical staff can react to incidents domestic violence. The number of notifications
made by them is extremely low.
Rehabilitation services for violators are not still formed. As a consequence, when a case of domestic violence is not acute is
revealed, simply alienating the perpetrator, without the latters rehabilitation, is futile as, later, the offender returns back
with more aggression and violates with double the aggression.
The gender sensitive judiciary is not implemented yet where the methods for investigation and revealing the crimes could
be possible in accordance with the situation of women victims and needs; when the victim of violence and the victim
having sever trauma could easily prove his/her loss and violence he/she was subjected to, wouldnt be involved in
prolonged and ineffective procedures, wouldnt hide the information about sexual harassment.
All these could have been revealed before, if the state agencies cooperated with the civil society and listen to their
messages.
We hope that even after these tragic murders the state policy of fighting against violence towards women and prevention
will be reviewed, the results assessed and the situation improved soon.
Non-governmental organizations express their readiness once again to assist state agencies in the activities related to the
protection of womens rights and elimination of gender violence.

Campaign against Femicide

On 27 May, the organization Partnership for Human Rights
joined the campaign protesting frequent murders of women
organized by the Independent Group of Feminists. The
campaign was conducted in front of the MIA.
Ana Abashidze: The state does nothing towards the
prevention of violence against women Domestic Violence is
not a state business. This is a relation between private people
and the state doesnt have to interfere this is the
preliminary attitude of policemen, thats why their activities
are ineffective.

Ana Abashidze: The state does nothing for prevention of violence against women.
Domestic Violence is not a state business. This is a relation between private
persons and the state doesnt have to interfere this is preliminary attitude of
policemen, thats why their activities are ineffective.
Please see the full interview over here:

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Childrens Day
On 1 June, the press conference regarding Day
of Childrens Protection was conducted by a
joint initiative of the organizations Partnership
for Human Rights and Our Children,
Association of Professionals and Parents of
Children with Down syndrome.
Please see the records of the program over
here:

Be Empowered and Change in Batumi

On 4 June, the PHR representative, with the support of Childrens and
Youth National Centre, conducted a training about advocacy strategy,
rights of disabled persons, involvement in the work of parents in the
protection of childrens rights for professionals and parents of disabled
children in the Adjara region.

Meeting at the Ministry of Internal Affairs

On 6 June, the PHR participated in the meeting with the NGOs
organized by the MIA. The meeting aimed to analyze the increased
number of statistics regarding violence against women and
problem identification. The NGO representatives applied to the
MIA in order to conduct a mass campaign about violence against
women, creation of permanent advisory meetings format with the
NGOs, a special reaction group and statistics. The MIA promised to
repeat the aforementioned meeting after a month in order to
collect and analyze the process and the results achieved during
that month.

Ana Abashidze in the Radio Imedi

28.05.2014

Program Law
Anchor: Tamuna Abramishvili
The tendency of increasing domestic violence is observed in the
country. Are womens rights protected? What does the law
envisage?

Please see the records of the program over here:

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Rally Against Violence Against Women

On 5 June, PHR representatives participated in the campaign
regarding the frequent murders of women and domestic violence.
The campaign participants requested active actions for revealing
violence and appropriate reaction by the MIA. At the same time
they presented the petition signed by up to 2000 citizens of
Georgia asking for the creation of gender sensitive judiciary. The
initiator of the campaign was the Independent Group of
Feminists.

Empowerment of Police for Overcoming Domestic Violence

Ana Abashidze, the Head of PHR, by the invitation of NGO Imedi,
conducted an educational training for policemen of the Main Division of
Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Regional Police in Zugdidi. The training covered
the issues regarding tools for identification of domestic violent acts and
effective reaction. The training was attended by 21 district inspectors. The
main focus was paid to the needs of victims of domestic violence, and legal
regulations and approaches of European Convention of Human Rights,
duties of proper reaction by the policemen towards domestic violence.

Campaign Vote for Women

On 7 June, PHR joined the campaign Vote for Women We need Women in Politics organized in Tbilisi by Network of Gender Equality
and Journalists Network for Gender Equality. The aim of the campaign was to support womens participation in the elections of local
self-government.

Ana Arghanashvili at Radio Liberty

the topic of the program: Woman Jewelry, Woman as a Decoration.
Why is it that women are frequently named as the spouse of a
politician and nobody knows their name? Why do women in
Georgia hide? Name women!
Please see the records of the program over here:

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Training for lawyers

On 9 June, Ana Abashidze, the Head of the
organization PHR, conducted the training for
lawyers working in the Samegrelo region by
the invitation of the Council of Europe, EU and
the Georgian Bar Association.
The training aimed to empower lawyers in
order to ensure effective litigation of
discrimination cases on both national and
European Court of Human Rights levels.

Overcoming the Hidden Forms of Violence Revealed

towards Disabled Women

On 23 June 2014, Ana Abashidze, the Head of the organization

Partnership for Human Rights, and Keti Bakhtadze conducted a training
on Overcoming Hidden Forms of Violence Revealed towards Disabled
Women for psychiatric healthcare centers, social service agencies and
other types of shelter employees. The training was organized in the frame
of two projects, such as: Protection of Women with Psycho-Social Needs
Placed in Psychiatric Institutions from Violence, funded by the
organization Women Fund in Georgia and Mainstreaming of Issues of
Disabled Persons in the State Action Plan against Gender Violence,
funded by the EU.

Meeting in Rustavi
On 1 July 2014, Nana Gochiashvili and Sopo Ziraqishvili,
the PHR representatives, organized the workshops with
the representatives of NGOs working with disabled
persons in Rustavi. The workshop aimed to analyze the
level of participation of disabled persons in the work of
Rustavi local self-government, the challenges and
obstacles.
The identified problems will be presented to the local
self-government formally in the near future.
The visit was conducted in the frame of the EU project
Support of Rights and Capacities of Disabled Persons for
Ensuring Participation in the Work of Local SelfGovernment which has been implemented by the
organization in cooperation with the organizations:
Article 42 of the Constitution and Accessible
Environment for Everyone.

Stories about Gender

Ana Abashidze talks about the standards of Council of Europe Convention on
Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence
(Istanbul Convention). The Convention was ratified by Georgia on 19 June, 2014
which means that the state has declared its major principles.
Please see the records of the program over here:

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Workshop in Rustavi
On 4 July 2014, Ana Gochiashvili and Tatia Janelidze, the PHR representatives,
conducted a workshop with the participation of Rustavi City Council member
and Ivane Shatirishvili, a member of the NGO Happy Children.

The workshop aimed to study the participation of disabled persons in

the work of Rustavi City Council. As it was found out the level of the
citizen participation in the decision making process of City Council is
extremely low. The advocacy of the problems revealed during the
meeting will be possible in the near future. The visit was conducted in
the frame of the EU project Support of Rights and Capacities of Disabled
Persons for Ensuring Participation in the Work of Local SelfGovernment, which was started by the organization in cooperation with
the Article 42 of the Constitution and Accessible Environment for
Everyone at the beginning of the year.

Training in Adjara
On 3 July, Ana Abashidze, the Head of the
organization, by the invitation of the Council of
Europe, the EU and the Georgian Bar Association,
conducted the training for lawyers working in the
Adjara region.
The training aimed to empower the lawyers for
effective litigation of discrimination cases on both
national and European Court of Human Rights levels.

Training for Civil Servants

On 10-13 July, PHR, by the UN Women Organization, conducted a training for the staff of the Ministry of
Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees and Office of Public
Defender of Georgia. The training covered topics such as: Childrens rights, rights of disabled persons, issues of
ethnic minorities, approaches of the European Court of Human Rights regarding protection from discrimination
and case studies.

Ana Abashidzes Interview with the newspaper Weekend

Discrimination towards a woman starts when the child is born
and they say that she is a baby girl.
Please see the Full Interview over here:

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Meeting in Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia

On 4 July 2014, PHR representative attended a second meeting at the
Ministry of Internal Affairs concerning improvement of tools for combating
domestic violence and preventive mechanisms. The attendants:
representatives NGOs and staff of various subdivisions of the MIA
summarized the past one month and made an analysis of actions performed
by the MIA, the perspectives of future cooperation was discussed as well.
Keti Bakhtadze, the PHR representative, offered MIA cooperation in terms of
preparation of the analysis of statistics by the types of victims of domestic
violence. The MIA was requested in written form to provide the statistical
data about disabled women who the victims of domestic violence are.

Working Trip to Ozurgeti

On 11 July 2014, Nana Gochiashvili and Sopo Ziraqishvili, the PHR
representatives, conducted a working trip to Ozurgeti. The meetings were
organized with the NGO representatives and disabled persons.
Several buildings are equipped with ramps, but standards are not followed
and it is impossible to use them. The vast majority of the buildings are not
adapted. It is impossible for us to move throughout the city, we are unable to
use the public transport,- said disabled persons residing in Ozurgeti.

By the statement of the NGOs, the qualification of educators in kindergartens and at schools still remains a major problem of the
Ozurgeti municipality. They lack the respective skills of working with disabled persons. There are no operational early
development programs in the municipality; the works with the children are not initiated from preschool age.
As a result of the meeting identification of necessary effective ways for empowerment of disabled persons and their inclusion in
the work of local self-government of Ozurgeti municipality as well as defining the future cooperation forms became possible.
The visit was conducted in the frame of the EU project Support of Rights and Capacities of Disabled Persons for Ensuring
Participation in the Work of Local Self-Government which is being implemented by the organization in cooperation with
organizations such as: Article 42 of the Constitution and Accessible Environment for Everyone.

Overcoming the Hidden Forms of Violence Revealed towards

Disabled Women
On 15 July 2014, the PHR representatives delivered information about UN
Convention on Disabled Persons (2006) and the major directions of Convention
on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence
(Istanbul Convention) to the social workers and psychiatric health specialists in
Akhaltsikhe, Akhalkalaki and surrounding regions. Along with the trainers
different conditions were discussed where the problems of protection of disabled
womens rights in the region were reviled. PHR expresses its gratitude towards
the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs, and the Social Services Agency
for inviting the extremely dedicated and motivated professionals.

Ana Abashidze, the Head of PHR, at TV Company Imedi

21.07.2014

The topic of conversation represented rights of disabled parents

For full records please see here:

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Joint Statement of NGOs regarding TV-companies GDS Sexist Video Clip

14 July 2014

We would like to respond to the records of the TV program Bina 18 at GDS TV Company on 9 July, regarding the
degrading visualization of a womans body. We consider that this part of the program presents an openly sexist
interpretation of female and male roles and serves as deepening the negative stereotypes existing in society which
needs to be assessed respectively.
Its true that freedom of expression means spreading any idea but strong legal remedies of freedom of expression
and speech does not free the media from duties and responsibility which this profession has in accordance with its
function.
In modern society the media has great potential in terms of social amendments. It is able to speed up as well as
prevent structural changes in the direction of gender equality. In a cultural context, where women are frequently
subjected to current sexist attitudes and stereotypes, presenting a female as an object by the TV Company deepens
the traditional perception of female and male roles and is absolutely unacceptable.
We believe that for those TV companies that are not focused on tabloid journalism, but would like to rather pursue
social and political shows, it should be unacceptable to reproduce and spread similar sexist content. The attitude
towards the GDS TV Company will be formed due to how adequately the editorial group will consider this and to
what extent the critical opinion expressed by society will be reflected on the TV Companys future editorial policy.
The modern understanding of the role of media is wide rather than its consideration as business project. We hope
that GDS will be focused on social responsibility more than commercial interest which means accountability
towards to all social groups and reflection of their needs and interests.
The statement was signed by 23 organizations.

Nana Abashidze in Summer School in Poland

Between 12-22 July 2014, the PHR representative, Nana Abashidze, visited
Poland, she participated in Summer School training which was dedicated to
education about democratic citizenship and education about human rights
for school directors, educators and local social representatives, in particular
parents and NGOs.
It is worth mentioning that by the initiative of PHR, Mikheil Giorgadze, the
Director of Public School #2 of the settlement Surami, and Jaba Labadze, a history
teacher, were involved in the program. PHR in cooperation with this mentioned
school implements joint initiatives for realization of democratic principles at school.
The aim of the Summer Academy in Poland is to empower the cooperation among
the participant states through sharing best practices and experience. The academy
participant countries were the following: Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus,
Moldova, Ukraine, Poland, and Russia.

Training on Gender Equality Tamar Kordzaias Bureau

On 21 July, the PHR representatives, by the initiative of the MP Tamar Kordzaia, conducted a
training for the staff of the Parliament and covered the topic Gender Equality and its
Importance for Social Development.

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Campaign The Murderer is a Policeman

Focus Group in Rustavi

On 29 July, PHR joined the campaign regarding the

femicide in front of the MIA.
The campaign was organized by the Independent
Group of Feminists.
The major request of campaign participants was related
to formation of gender-sensitive judiciary which will be
able to reveal the crime and foresee the situation and
needs of women victims.

On 21 and 22 July, PHR, in the frame of the project Support

of Rights and Capacities of Disabled Persons for Ensuring
Participation in the Work of Local Self-Government,
organized research of the needs of disabled persons and
their parents.

PHR at the Video Conference organized by the US

Embassy in Georgia
On 21 July, PHR participated at the Video Conference organized by
Mr. Richard Norland, the American Ambassador and Ms. Judith
Heumann, Special Advisor for International Disability Rights, State
Department.
The video conference was also attended by Ms. Laura Nas Director of
Washington Department, Services for Disabled Persons, and the
representatives of Georgian Government and other organizations working
in the field of protection of disabled persons rights. The video conference
participants discussed the problems faced by disabled persons. They paid
special attention to children and youth. The US Embassy in Tbilisi will
continue its work with the Georgian Government and civil society in order
to ensure protection of rights of disabled persons and respect, as well as
their inclusion and active participation in Georgian social life.

Needs Assessment in Ozurgeti

On 24-26 July 2014, PHR, in the frame of the needs assessment, conducted meetings with disabled persons and their parents in
Ozurgeti municipality. Both the focus group meetings as well as in-depth interviews were organized.
During the study the focus was on existing problems of disabled persons in Ozurgeti municipality and activities performed by the
local self-government in this particular direction, gaps in the performed work and issues of inclusion of disabled persons in future
works of self-government.
The visit was conducted in the frame of the EU project Support of Rights and Capacities of Disabled Persons for Ensuring
Participation in the Work of Local Self-Government which is being implemented by the organization along with the organizations:
Article 42 of the Constitution and Accessible Environment for Everyone.

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Summer School of Free University

Nana Gochiashvili, the PHR representative, visited the Bazaleti Training
Center; she participated in a Summer School organized especially for the
NGOs which was opened on 28 July. The Summer School is being
implemented by the National Institute of Human Rights in the South
Caucasus, Law School at Free University in cooperation with the UN OHCHR.
The aim of the Summer School is to support the UN mechanisms of protection
of human rights and deepen the knowledge of NGOs regarding
recommendations given to Georgia and develop their skills.
On the first day of the Summer School the participants received information
about UN mechanisms such as the Human Rights Council, Universal Periodical
Review, Special Reporters and UN Human Rights binding organs, for instance, UN
Committees of Human Rights and UN Committee for Prevention of Torture. Also,
the participants received information about the recommendations given to
Georgia by the UN treaty bodies. Apart from that, the NGOs discussed the
international standards of Private Life and integrity of respect as well as
challenges. The first day, sessions of the Summer School were conducted by
Besarion Bokhashvili, Tamar Tomashvili and Giorgi Mshvenieradze.

PHR in Ozurgeti City Council

On 2 August 2014, the non-governmental organization Partnership
for Human Rights participated in the first session of Ozurgeti
Municipality. By the organization of Partnership for Human Rights
the participation of Tamuna Lursmanashvili and David Menabde, the
disabled persons, as well as Khatuna Bakradze, Nino Tchelidze,
Nanuli Diasamidze and Janeta Zaqariadze, the parents of disabled
children, were ensured.
Despite that the entrance on the respective floor of the City Council
for those who moved by the wheel-chair was completely impossible,
the disabled persons, with their own effort, could manage to enter
the meeting room and attend the City Council session.
Its good that I attend the first session of City Council. I will actively
continue participation in the decision making process as the
participation of our disabled persons, has extremely huge
importance. But it was a great obstacle for me to enter the building
where it is impossible to move by wheel-chair. I wont forget their
surprised faces when I entered the meeting room of the City Council,
says Tamuna Lursmanashvili.
According to the agenda of the day it was agreed to adopt the
regulation of the City Council of Ozurgeti as well as provisions of City
Board and Commissions.
Nana Abashidze, a PHR member, presented the suggestions and
remarks prepared by the organization which covered the issues
concerning the disabled persons according to the UN Convention on
Disabled Persons to be reflected in the regulations of City Council,
provisions of City Board and Social Commission. The main aim of the
proposed amendments was to reflect the issues of disabled persons
in the process of decision making, adoption of programs and policy in
order to ensure their full participation and equal inclusion in all social
spheres. PHR will monitor whether the amendments proposed to the
City Council, will be considered.
The activity was implemented in the frame of the EU project Support
of Rights and Capacities of Disabled Persons for Ensuring Participation
in the Work of Local Self-Government which is being implemented
by the organization along with the other partner organizations such
as: Article 42 of the Constitution and Accessible Environment for
Everyone from the beginning of this year.

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PHR at Tbilisi City Council

On 7 August 2014, PHR members, among them a disabled person, attended the
session of the Tbilisi City Council. The main aim of the session was to express
opinions regarding the adoption of rules for meeting with the citizens at the
Tbilisi City Hall, Tbilisi Municipality for granting disabled persons utmost
accessibility in the frame of this rule.
But our members revealed that the mentioned issue was omitted from the
session agenda. It has to be mentioned that the information about the session
was uploaded on the formal web site of the Tbilisi City Council the evening prior
to the session. The concrete type of the session as well as the topics for
discussion was not indicated there; also the document was not made available
beforehand.
Delivery of information about the sessions of the City Council this way creates
serious obstacles in terms of citizens inclusion in the work of local selfgovernment.
For a solution to the mentioned issues, PHR will formally apply to the Tbilisi City
Council.

Training for Sachkhere City Council

and City Board
On 15 August, PHR conducted a training on the UN
Convention on Rights of Disabled Persons (UN CRPD)
especially for Sachkhere City Council and City Board
members. The initiator of this activity was the registered
Union of Disabled Persons in Sachkhere.

Literature on Human Rights for Psychiatric Institutions

On 19 August 2014, the organization Partnership for Human Rights delivered the literature about the human rights
to the libraries of three institutions of psychiatric health. These institutions are: National Centre of Mental Health,
National Centre for Mental Health and Prevention of Addiction and Rustavi Mental Health Centre.
During the visit to the institutions, PHR discovered that the libraries are almost empty and the desired literature is
insufficient; thats why the campaign for granting literature on human rights to the libraries of mental health centers
was initiated in April. In the frame of the campaign we applied to different organizations for granting the books and
we would like to express our gratitude for performed activities, these organizations are: Open Society Georgia
Foundation, UN Mission to Georgia, Caucasian House, the South Caucasus Regional Office of Heinrich Boll
Foundation, EU Delegation to Georgia, UN Women, Public Defender of Georgia, Georgian Bar Association, Palitra
Media, Council of Europe Office in Georgia.
The Caucasian House delivered artistic literature in Azeri language which appeared very important for disabled
persons belonging to the ethnic minority in those institutions.
PHR expresses its special gratitude towards Lela Tsuleiskiri, a member of the organization Cooperation for Equal
Rights, for assistance.

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Discussion of Nursery Issues at Tbilisi City Court

On 21 August 2014, PHR and the organization Our Children,
Association of Professionals, and Parents of Children with Down
syndrome participated in the session of Education and Culture
Commission at Tbilisi City Council.
The problems related to the Tbilisi nursery, as well as the issue of the
formation of the advisory board of commission with the active
participation of the civil society members, were discussed. Temur
Tordinava, the Director of the Tbilisi Nursery Management Service,
presented the report on the current situation in preschool educational
institutions. The Director of the Agency paid most of its attention to
the most prominent existing problems in the Tbilisi nursery which
needs an urgent solution. He stated that, while the majority of Tbilisi
dwellers can not register their children to preschools due to the
shortage of places, there are 47 nurseries that are closed down. 16 of
them are derelict, the rest of them have been occupied by internally
displaced persons. 17 nursery institutions have damaged fences, which
puts children's health and safety in jeopardy. 21 nursery institutions
lack central heating.
In order to solve the problems related to inaccessibility of the
nurseries and overcrowded groups by the statement of the Director of
the Agency it is planned that new buildings of kindergartens be
constructed. He stated that the construction of a preschool that will
accommodate 450 children is planned to commence on Moscow
Avenue in the near future. Regarding the problems related to the
overcrowded nursery, Lia Tabatadze, the member of the Our
Children, Association of Professionals and Parents of Children with
Down syndrome, expressed her own opinion. During her speech she
talked about the necessity of the formation of the universal design in
preschool educational institutions which will foresee the needs of
disabled children. Even in exceptional cases and when the first floor is
adapted the children are not fully involved in the educational process.
As a rule the music lessons are provided in the hall placed on the
second floor and the movement for children with wheel-chairs is
impossible. Lia Tabatadze also touched the issues of parties when the
individual needs of disabled children are ignored and they are not
involved in the activities. She stated that, collecting money is
especially hard for parents and this takes place quite often in the
preschool educational institutions. The member of the organization
Our Children also talked about the exceeding number of the children
in the groups, as well as the necessity to have a logopedics cabinet and
medical supervision.
During her speech, Nana Gochiashvili, a member of the PHR, covered
the problems related to the inclusion of disabled children in the
kindergartens. Currently, the multidiscipline team is functional in
Tbilisi which assesses the children, prepares individual plans, and
ensures the full inclusion of the children in the educational
environment. The coordinators of nurseries of Agency are obliged to
inform the multidisciplinary team as soon as the disabled child is
admitted, but, in practice, the reality is different. Disabled children
are admitted to the kindergartens in a way that, in most cases, their
individual needs are neglected. As a result, they lose their function in
the group and are unable to be involved in the planned activities.
During the session PHR raised an issue and posed a question to the
Director of the nursery institutions, namely whether they planned to
have a multidisciplinary team on the database of the Agency in future
or not and what particular activities are planned in terms of
supporting an inclusive preschool education.
Also, the topic for creation of an advisory board was discussed during
the session which will gather civil society members. Thematic
working groups will be formed where the most urgent problems will
be discussed and strategic documents will be drafted.

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PHR in Tbilisi City Council

On 20 August 2014, PHR, along with the organization Woman and Reality,
and disabled persons, attended the session of the Human Rights Protection
and Civil Integration Commission at Tbilisi City Council.
In the frame of the EU project Support of Rights and Capacities of Disabled
Persons for Ensuring Participation in the Work of Local Self-Government
PHR in cooperation with the disabled persons and partner organizations
(Article 42 of the Constitution and Accessible Environment for Everyone)
regularly attend the sessions in the Tbilisi City Council and Commission and
keep an eye on reflection of issues of disabled persons in the activities of
the local self-government according to the UN Convention on Rights of
Disabled Persons.

Claire Ozels Visit

On 19 August, Claire Ozel, the activist of rights of disabled persons residing
in Turkey, met with PHR and parents organization Our Children. She
shared with us the history of how the higher education reform started in
Turkey when the disabled students were given chance to receive higher
education without any obstacles. Claire talked about those challenges
which for several years were preventing inclusion of disabled persons in the
educational system as well as the strategies for overcoming those obstacles.

Ana Arghanashvili at the Radio

Liberty
Children, at the age of 10-12,
work in the nuts plantations
in Georgia. What does the
state do about this and what
does it have to do for the
protection of children from
forced and extremely severe
forms of labor exploitation?

Ana Abashidzes comment in the TV program P.S

Ana Abashidzes, the head of

PHR, commented regarding the
frequent murders of women

Complaint to the Georgian Charter of

Journalistic Ethics
In June 2014, the members of PHR along with the
citizens submitted an application to the Georgian
Charter of Journalist Ethics. The complaint concerned
the discriminative and degrading statements regarding
the violence against women made by the anchors of the
TV program Four Elements at the TV Company
Maestro. The hearing of the aforementioned complaint
at the Georgian Charter of Journalist Ethics was
conducted on 30 August. The council declared that the
journalists: Irakli Khrikadze and Giorgi Maskharashvili
violated the principle 7 of the Charter according to
which: the journalist has to have understanding of risk
of encouragement discrimination, thats why a journalist
has to do their best and prevent any kind of
discrimination on the basis of race, sex, sexual
orientation, language, religion, political and/ or other
beliefs, national or social origin, or any other grounds.

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Empowering Women against Labor Discrimination and Combating Genderbased Violence

The project is being implemented with the financial support of EU and covers
Tbilisi, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Adjara regions. The project aims to protect
womens labor rights.

Supporting the Right and Opportunity of People with Disabilities to Participate

through the Bodies of Local Self-government
The project is running with the financial support of EU, covers
Tbilisi, Qvemo Qartli and Guria regions. The project aims to
empower the disabled persons community.

Mainstreaming Disability into National Action against Gender Based Violence

The project is being implemented with the financial support of EU

and covers Tbilisi, Imereti, Samegrelo and Samtskhe-Javakheti. The
project aims to reveal different forms of violence towards disabled
women, among them those women having psycho-social needs,
management, and sensitization of state policy and mobilization of
womens groups.

Protecting women from violence in psychiatric hospitals and women

who are in needs of psychosocial help
The project is being implemented with the funding of Women
Fund Georgia and covers Tbilisi and other regions. The project
aims to give legal assistance to disabled women, among them
those women having psycho-social needs.

Womens Fund in
Georgia

Article 42 of the
Constitution

Accessible
Environment for
Everyone

Georgian Young
Lawyers
Association

Anti-violence
Network of
Georgia

Youth Center for

Independent Living

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