On December 1, 2014, the Public Defender of Georgia held presentation of “Popularization of awareness raising of ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities/results of focus groups” in the framework of the UNDP project.

The report reflected situation existing in Georgian regions with regards to persons with disabilities and ethnic minorities with disabilities. The document also included flyers and posters developed and printed for popularization of awareness raising on rights of persons with disabilities.

The event was opened by the Public Defender of Georgia Ucha Nanuashvili and Resident Coordinator of the UNDP in Georgia Niels Scott.

There was also represented a report of work conducted by the Centre on the Protection of Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the Public Defender, information on recommendations issued with respect to this direction and activities carried out in the framework of the project.

“As of January 2015, at the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia will be formed a mechanism of monitoring of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that will prepare reports and send them to relevant UN body (CRPD).

The Public Defender’s Office of Georgia will work within the scope of its widened authority towards monitoring and protection, as well as popularization and promotion of rights of persons with disabilities”, the Public Defender said.

Representatives of the Centre on the Protection of Rights of Persons with Disabilities of the Public Defender held meetings with focus groups in the framework of the UNDP project for the purpose of raising awareness and support for vulnerable groups. On-site visits were carried out also in villages of Kakheti, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartili Municipalities.

Within the project information posters and brochure were printed that will be distributed across the country, in municipalities, village medical centres and other public places.

The event was attended by representatives of government, non-governmental and international organizations.