Protecting human rights and freedoms is the key priority of the Georgian government, said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili in a statement on the Human Rights Day observed on December 10.

“In the October 1, 2012, parliamentary elections, Georgia’s population clearly expressed its will and support for drastic changes in the country. The newly elected Government of Georgia committed to far-reaching reforms across the board. In line with the Government’s programs, important efforts have been invested in cementing the inviolability of our citizens’ constitutional rights and institution-building grounded in democratic values.

Protecting human rights and freedoms is our Government’s key priority. The Government of Georgia ensures equal, free and decent conditions for Georgian citizens, regardless of their affiliations with one group or another, because we firmly believe that protecting the interests of all groups and individuals and looking after their rights is a must,” PM said.

According to Prime Minister, the human rights policy should reflect the internationally adopted standards that would contribute to the democratic reforms and speed up Georgia’s integration into Euro-Atlantic structures.

“It is important to us for the state’s human rights policy to reflect internationally adopted standards. To that end, in 2013, work commenced on the National Strategy for Protecting Human Rights, the first of its kind in the history of Georgia. The 2014-2020 National Strategy of Georgia for Protecting Human Rights was rooted in the idea of exercising human rights in everyday life and defined the long-term priorities and objectives of the Georgian Government to shape interagency, multisectoral, unified, and consistent human rights policies, implementing good governance and strengthening the protection of human rights.

Presently, the Government is working on the 2nd National Strategy for Protecting Human Rights, encompassing a wide array of rights, and echoing international progress toward protecting human rights. Georgian Government guarantees Georgian citizens to express their will, development, and progress freely. We believe that, together with our population and international partners, we will succeed in overcoming all challenges and furthering our country’s democratic development and integration into Euro-Atlantic structures,” PM said.