On March 17, 2016, Deputy Public Defender Natia Katsitadze delivered a speech at the 31^th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, where recommendations, provided to Georgia by the Working Group of the Universal Periodic Review in November 2015, were discussed.

The Deputy Public Defender highlighted the challenges that remain in the field of protection of human rights in the country. Natia Katsitadze emphasized the necessity of creation of an independent investigative mechanism, which will investigate cases of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment in penitentiary facilities. In the report the Deputy Public Defender also talked about the necessity of creating effective labor inspection that will be responsible for monitoring safe working conditions and labour rights, as well as for development of transparent procedures for selection/appointment/promotion of judges, which, in turn, has a major impact on the country's democratic order, rule of law and human rights.

The Deputy Public Defender said that despite the positive steps already taken by the state, it is necessary to take irreversible efforts to combat violence against women and domestic violence, as well as to increase effectiveness of anti-discrimination legislation and ensure the rights of the population living in the occupied territories, including the right to get education in the mother language.

During the visit, the Deputy Public Defender met with representatives of the International Labour Organisation and talked about the challenges of labour rights in Georgia.

The Public Defender will continue to cooperate with the authorities in terms of implementation of recommendations undertaken within the framework of the Universal Periodic Review.