The Government of Georgia has published the first part of the questionnaire sent by the European Commission, a large part of which is devoted to questions about human rights, equality and a non-discrimination environment.
The section on the right to live in an environment free from discrimination and equal treatment, including of the socially vulnerable groups and individuals, as well as the legal status of persons with disabilities. It discusses the legal levers that eliminate and combat discrimination, as well as general action strategies.
The document also addresses questions about the legal basis for changing the gender marker, as well as the legal framework for combating hate crimes. Speaking about the experience of protecting the freedom of assembly, it is said, “Are, say, gay pride and similar events held freely?”. In addition, the question of promoting a non-discriminatory environment in the online space is important.
The European Commission document asks questions about the training available to staff in the penitentiary system on the rights of women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and LGBTQ people. As well as, how are investigations into allegations of ill-treatment conducted and “how are the rights to marriage, including in the case of same-sex partners, guaranteed?”
A separate section of the questionnaire is devoted to issues of gender equality and women’s rights. The questions in this section relate to legislative changes made by the state to promote equality, equality of employment, working conditions and pay, and equal access to services. As well as the political will to achieve gender equality, the issues of women’s participation in politics, in legal institutions and in the executive branch, in state-run organizations.
The questionnaire includes questions about existing services to eliminate gender discrimination and gender-based violence, as well as services available to victims of gender-based violence.
The first 42-page document of the questionnaire covers the political situation, compliance with the European model of the Constitution, parliamentary work, rights of government and civil society, functioning of the judiciary, access to education, rights of children, ethnic and religious minorities, racism and xenophobia.
