საერთო ცხელი ხაზი +995 577 07 05 63
On 8th of July, Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) and Partnership for Human Rights (PHR) submitted Coalition Report to the UN Human Rights Council within the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
The report covers the period 2015-2020 and assesses the progress and challenges with regard to certain social and economic rights. The document consists of five chapters and 45 recommendations and deals with the following issues:
- Fulfilment of general obligations relevant for the implementation of social and economic rights – the report underlines the importance of ratification of certain international instruments (Additional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, certain provisions of the European Social Charter, etc.), as well as the significance of submission of a periodic report to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which has been overdue since 2007.
- Guaranteeing the right to adequate housing – the document underlines that issues of combatting homelessness are not duly taken into account by the Government, which is reflected in the absence of a national strategy and action plan, a weak legislative and institutional framework, as well as a lack of housing services. The document also specifically notes the dire consequences of the state policy failure on certain groups, such as persons with disabilities and persons/households facing evictions.
- Protection of labour and employment rights – the document pays special attention to the need of increasing the authority of the Labour Inspectorate, as well as its legal and institutional strengthening. The report also emphasizes the importance of establishing effective legal standards for the protection of labour rights (including, regulation of minimum wage, overtime work and working hours).
- Guaranteeing children’s social rights – the report highlights the significant failures of the child welfare system, which, inter alia, are reflected in the significant poverty rates of children and the challenging human rights situation of children living and working on the streets. The document also underlines other important problems, such as guaranteeing the right to early and general education (including, for children with special education needs and representatives of ethnic minorities), as well as the lack of access to healthcare and rehabilitation services.
- Sexual and reproductive health of women with disabilities – the document highlights challenges faced by women with disabilities, including, women with psychosocial needs, in accessing sexual and reproductive health services. The report underlines the issue of disregarding women’s sexual and reproductive health rights in big-sized psychiatric facilities and boarding houses.
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is one of the most important UN mechanisms, which involves periodic assessment of the UN member states’ reports on human rights issues and development of relevant recommendations. Examination of the Report of the Georgian Government within the 3rd cycle of the UPR is planned in 2021. It is noteworthy, that while developing the recommendations towards the Georgian Government, the UN member states will take into account both Governmental report and civil society submissions.
Author organizations of a joint report will continue active advocacy within the UPR procedures and provide information to the general public on the content of the recommendations issued towards the Georgian Government, as well as the status of their implementation.
