EU Council approved EU Annual Report for Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2018, which positively appraises the reforms carried out in Georgia, – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia released this information.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the document highlights Georgia’s participation in the EU-led ‘Good Human Rights Stories’ initiative launched at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) generated broad cross-regional resonance and aims to provide an effective vehicle for positive change in the future. Georgia was presented as one of the best among the 13 countries within this initiative.

“The documents highly appraises Georgia’s steps towards strengthening of human rights making special reference to a new human rights department at the Ministry of Interior that was established in 2018 to address crimes committed by or against juveniles.
The report also highlights the European Union’s counter terrorism co-operation with various countries, including with Georgia.

According to the report, in Georgia the EU also supported reforms in the juvenile justice sector, in particular, the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Code that entered into force in 2016, through specialised training for judges, prosecutors, legal aid providers, penitentiary and probationary staff. An assessment of children’s individual needs at all stages of the criminal proceedings was also introduced to help judges and prosecutors make decisions in the child’s best interests. Furthermore, pre-trial assessments and alternatives to detention and imprisonment such as home arrest, as well as individual sentence planning, have been applied to juveniles

As regards the political governance, the report pays special attention to the successful implementation of EU projects awarded under the ‘Pilot programme to strengthen political parties’ in a number of countries, including in Georgia.

The document also makes special mention of the visit to Georgia of the EU Special Representative for Human Rights who held meetings with government officials and representatives of the civil sector”- information released by Ministry of Foreign Affairs reads.