Enhancing Human Rights compliant approach in law enforcement institutions in Georgia

The project aims at enhancing the protection of the citizens in Georgia by the law enforcement institutions, which further improve the performance of their duties in line with the Council of Europe standards and best practices. It will support national authorities to advance how the police and related agencies operate by focusing on three main groups: the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA); the Special Investigation Service responsible for looking into police misconduct; and the Public Defender’s Office, National Prevention Mechanism, and civil society organizations.

WHAT DO WE EXPECT TO ACHIEVE?

MIA improves legislative and policy frameworks to follow European standards, while the police officers benefit from sustainable training provision at the MIA Academy and enhance skills in handling situations such as public gatherings, working with young people, and treating vulnerable individuals with respect.
The Special Investigation Service further strengthens its independence and increases effectiveness in investigating cases of police misconduct, with a focus on torture and ill-treatment. Due regard is paid to the protection of the alleged victims and witnesses of police misconduct, as well as monitoring the quality of investigations and timely reaction on the cases involving alleged ill-treatment from the law-enforcement officers.
Public Defender’s Office / National Preventive Mechanism and civil society enhance their professional and operational capacities to prevent police misconduct. Involvement of the CSOs, focusing on the protection of human rights during peaceful demonstrations, will be at the core of this component.

The Project builds on the achievements of the previous CoE projects “Juvenile and Adults Detainees Support” (JADES, 2019-2021) and “Human Rights Compliant Policing in Georgia” (HRCPG, 2021-2023). The Project will be delivered by applying human rights approach and will pay particular attention to vulnerable groups, including juveniles. A gender-sensitive approach will be ensured during the project implementation. Gender balance trends of the capacity-building activities of the Project will be monitored and reported on a regular basis.

A combination of needs assessments, expert advice, working groups and experts’ meetings, workshops and roundtables, development of training modules and delivery of tailor-made trainings, and public awareness activities will serve to achieve the goal of the project.

Partners: Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), MIA Academy, Special Investigation Service, Public Defender's Office/National Preventive Mechanism; relevant civil society organisations.

End beneficiaries: victims of police misconduct; juvenile offenders, victims and witnesses; persons in police custody; participants of peaceful demonstrations.

The Project is part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia (2024-2027). The project runs from 1 January 2024 until 31 December 2025.

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Back Empowering the next generation of human rights defenders - Council of Europe hosts summer school to promote human rights compliance in Georgia

Empowering the next generation of human rights defenders - Council of Europe hosts summer school to promote human rights compliance in Georgia

Lopota, Georgia, July 19-26, 2024 – The Council of Europe brought together 42 law students from various Georgian universities for a Summer School to deepen their understanding of human rights and strengthening their advocacy skills.

The Summer School provided participants with a comprehensive training on the role of the Council of Europe in promoting human rights, with a specific focus on the rights and freedoms protected by the European Convention on Human Rights. The intensive program covered key human rights issues, including the right to life, liberty, and security, as well as freedom of expression, and freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

The seven-day programme of the Summer School not only enhanced the participants’ theoretical knowledge, but also developed their practical skills in preparing and presenting cases before administrative and judicial bodies. The practical part of the programme included moot court sessions, where students argued their cases before a panel of judges and received constructive feedback on their performance.

The program also strengthened participants’ communication skills, allowing them to build diverse and inclusive teams. Through group activities and discussions, the students learned how to collaborate effectively, navigate group dynamics, and communicate persuasively in the context of human rights protection.

“My expectations regarding this training have been exceeded. The knowledge of European human rights standards and practical experience I gained here are invaluable for my further professional growth and work. I gained new perspectives on human rights challenges and learned innovative ways to address them,” shared one of the participants of the Summer School.

Participants with notable academic achievements, already engaged in civil society activities, were selected among young professionals for their participation in the summer school. The initiative is part of a broader effort to promote human rights and the rule of law within Georgian law enforcement institutions.

This activity was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe Project "Enhancing Human Rights Compliant Approach in Law Enforcement Institutions in Georgia," designed to address the issues related to effective policing in line with human rights standards, the treatment of juvenile victims and offenders, as well as effective investigation into alleged ill-treatment by police and effective remedies against police misconduct. The Project is funded through the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2024-2027.

We work together to promote Human rights, Democracy and Rule of Law.

Goergia 16.08.2024