From 8 to 10 September 2025, representatives of the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia (PDO) visited to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg where they had the opportunity to engage directly with European human rights bodies, exchange best practices, and identify new avenues for co-operation.

As Georgia’s national human rights institution, the PDO plays a vital role in safeguarding civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.

Over the course of three days, the delegation met with the European Committee of Social Rights, the European Court of Human Rights, the Commissioner for Human Rights, Congress of local and regional authorities and other key institutions. Discussions focused on labour rights, healthcare, education, environmental justice, and the protection of vulnerable groups, including children, women, older persons, and persons with disabilities.

The visit enabled the PDO to further strengthen its expertise in monitoring and promoting social and economic rights, while also reinforcing its co-operation with European partners. By engaging with Council of Europe institutions and learning from their experience, the PDO enhanced its capacity to protect rights at home and to support Georgia’s alignment with international standards.

This initiative highlighted the shared commitment of the PDO and the Council of Europe to ensuring that social rights are effectively upheld for all, especially for those most at risk of exclusion.

The study visit was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe Project “Further Enhancement of Social and Economic Rights in Georgia.” The Project is implemented as part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2024-2027.