On 10-13 June 2015, Council of Europe (CoE) conducted a training for selected trainers on human rights of persons with mental disorders and medical ethics. The training was organised in the framework of the EU/CoE joint programme “Human Rights in Prisons and Other Closed Institutions”.

International trainers, specially invited for this event, introduced main ethical standards and human rights approaches to mental health issues to Georgian participants. The training sessions involved discussions around the key rights of persons with mental disabilities enshrined in international conventions. Among other topics,  participants also dealt with the issues related to involuntary treatment and measures to prevent ill-treatment of patients,

Upon completion of the training, participants- staff members of psychiatric institutions, Public Defender’s Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Penitentiary and Probation Training Centre will cascade their knowledge to the staff of psychiatric institutions already as trainers. 

The training is a part of a series of the EU/CoE programme activities in support of improving mental healthcare in prisons and other closed institutions. The programme has contributed to the development of the State Strategy and Action Plan on Mental Health and has already provided number of trainings related to mental health care.

The EU/CoE Joint Programme “Human Rights in Prisons and Other Closed Institutions” was launched in July 2013. It aims to strengthen human rights and improve access to healthcare for persons deprived of their liberty.