The Human Rights Academy of the Public Defender held training on International Protection of Refugees with financial participation of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Gudauri on September 12-14, 2016. Principles and mechanisms of international refugee law, as well as compliance of the national legislation and practice with international standards, were discussed at the meeting. The training was attended by 16 undergraduate and graduate students of international law departments of various accredited universities of Georgia.

UNHCR representatives Zuzana Kovalova and Tornike Tsagareishvili, as well as Tamta Papuashvili, representative of the Public Defender's Office of Georgia, reviewed the following issues: international system of refugee protection; definition of a "refugee" according to the Convention; universal principles and concepts of refugee protection; exemption from criminal liability; confidentiality; family unity; non-discrimination; the principle of exclusion according to the 1951 Convention; cancellation, termination and renewal of a status; Georgia’s asylum system and legislation; international and national case law on refugees.

Detailed information about the international refugee law and mechanisms, as well as the compliance of the national legislation and practice with international standards, will help students to acquire in-depth knowledge of the issues that may become subjects of their academic and professional interest in the future. The training will also contribute to raising awareness of refugees in the country, which is very important for prevention of marginalization of vulnerable groups and promotion of their integration.