On September 13, 2021, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Lyudmila Denisova and Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria signed a memorandum of cooperation.

By signing, the parties reaffirmed their readiness to work closely together to improve mechanisms for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Within the framework of the memorandum, the parties shall immediately notify each other of human rights violations against Ukrainian citizens on the territory of Georgia and Georgian citizens on the territory of Ukraine; receive and review applications of Ukrainian citizens living on the territory of Georgia and Georgian citizens living on the territory of Ukraine; exchange analytical and informational materials on each other’s activities in the field of human rights protection, as well as regulatory legal documents.

The document emphasizes cooperation in the field of prevention of torture, ill-treatment and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. It is noted that the National Preventive Mechanisms of Ukraine and Georgia will make joint visits to the detention facilities and other closed institutions in Ukraine and Georgia and exchange information (including on health or other conditions) about Ukrainian citizens serving their sentences in the penitentiaries of Georgia and Georgian citizens serving their sentences in Ukraine.

The memorandum also involves sharing experiences and best practices in all areas of human rights, holding meetings, consultations, study visits, joint seminars and lectures to improve the capabilities of the staff, drawing up publications and human rights reports, as well as joint efforts, cooperation and mutual support in the work of international human rights organizations, development of joint proposals and recommendations.

The parties undertake to establish and develop communication channels to assist each other in fulfilling their obligations as fully and effectively as possible.

The memorandum is motivated by friendly relations between Georgia and Ukraine, the desire to strengthen the principles of cooperation, equality and justice in general, and is based on the universally recognized norms of international law and the national laws of the two countries.