On October 17, 2024, Deputy Public Defender of Georgia Irine Chikhladze and members of the European Network of Equality Bodies (Equinet) met with Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty in Strasbourg and discussed the priorities of the Commissioner, issues of cooperation with equality bodies and challenges related to the vulnerable groups’ access to the equality bodies.

Irine Chikhladze spoke about the long-term cooperation between the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia and the Office of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights and expressed her hope that the newly appointed Commissioner will successfully continue this cooperation. "It is precisely the active support shown by the structures of the Council of Europe, including the Commissioner for Human Rights, and the constant advocacy for the Georgian Public Defender’s activities that increased the visibility of our institution at the international level, which greatly helped the Public Defender to make full efforts to protect human rights in the country," said the Deputy Public Defender.

On October 17-18, Irine Chikhladze participated in the annual seminar of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) held for the equality bodies in Strasbourg (France).

The activities carried out by the organization and the achieved results were discussed at the seminar; in addition, systemic challenges of the healthcare sector in the direction of racism and intolerance, and methods of combating structural discrimination and institutional racism were also discussed and the Council Directive (EU) 2024/1499 on standards for equality bodies was adopted.

The event was held within the framework of ECRI's 30^th anniversary.