On August 19, 2019, Public Defender of Georgia addressed another Communication to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.¹

Communication relates to the implementation of judgments on Identoba Group (Identoba vs. Georgia, Begeluri and others vs. Georgia and Members of Gldani Congregation and others vs. Georgia). Namely, it addresses systemic problem of homophobia, transphobia and xenophobia in the country, as well as gaps in the legislation of Georgia and its practice related to the effective investigation of hate crimes.

On its session planned in September, Committee of Minister will discuss fulfillment of its commitments by Georgia and examine its individual and general measures undertaken for the enforcement of court judgments.

As a National Human Rights Monitoring Institution, Public Defender once again utilized its opportunity to submit the Communication and presented to the Committee of Ministers relevant information on existing situation. The Communication reflects upon systemic challenges in legislation and practice. Following important issues are underlined in the Communication:

• Challenges facing LGBT+ community, including with regard to realization of the right to assembly and manifestation
• Problems of effective investigation of crimes committed on the ground of sexual orientation and gender identity
• Hostile environment against different religious groups and individuals of other ethnic identities
• Legislative initiatives in Criminal Code and Administrative Infringements Code to ensure effective investigation of hate crimes. Response toward such crimes by law-enforcement officials.

The document also reports on the work of the State Agency for Religious Issues and the Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia while addressing the above systemic problems.

Public Defender applied the possibility of presenting such Communication in 2017 and submitted to the Committee information on enforcement of judgments on Identoba Group.

¹ Communication was prepared according to Rule 9 (2) of Rules and Working Methods of the Committee of Ministers