Today, in the framework of the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations, UN member states assessed the human rights situation in Georgia.

The evaluation, among others, is based on reports provided by the non-governmental sector. For the 37th session, WISG together with ILGA-Europe prepared a special report[1], recommendations and fact sheets[2] on the human rights situation of LGBTQ people in Georgia.

Many of the issues raised in the Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group reports are reflected in the report of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which in turn is a compilation of the data submitted.[3]

At today's session, UN member states voiced recommendations to Georgia in various directions. Among them, the recommendations addressed the challenges of discrimination, hate crimes and the rights of LGBTQ people.

Georgia has received numerous recommendations based on WISG reports on the elimination of discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The recommendations can be grouped according to issues.  

General recommendations were concerned with overcoming homophobic stigma in society (Brazil, Chile, Argentina); Effective fight against hate-motivated crime - prevention, as well as proper investigation (France, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Turkey, Canada, Cyprus, Ecuador, Mexico); The problem of hate speech (Germany, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina) and the protection or strengthening of LGBTQ human rights; As well as raising public awareness on SOGIE  issues (United Kingdom, Uruguay, Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Fiji, Iceland, Israel).

At the same time, Georgia received more specific recommendations during the session, including from Spain, regarding the abolition of requirement of sex reassignment surgery to change gender marker on identification documents; From Sweden - Amendments to the Criminal Code of Georgia and the Law on the Prevention of Violence against Women and / or Domestic Violence, Protection and Assistance to Victims of Violence, so that victims' rights are protected on any grounds, including the SOGIE, free from discrimination;

The recommendations also relate to identifying, preventing and properly investigating threats posed by hate, far-right radical groups, including ensuring that LGBTQ people enjoy freedom of assembly and expression (Kingdom of the Netherlands, Venezuela, El Salvador). The recommendation from Luxembourg should be emphasized as it voiced the importance of protection of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for all women, including women of vulnerable groups.

WISG welcomes importance of the issues that LGBTQ persons face to be emphasised in frames of UPR. After publishing these recommendations in writing, we will offer a detailed evaluation. As for the final status of recommendations from Georgia (whether the state will accept to implement them), it will be known during the 47th session, which is scheduled for June-July 2021.

[1] Report and recommendations prepared by WISG and ILGA-Europe for UPR third Cycle, 37th Working Group Session: https://cutt.ly/WhYEflc

WISG is implementing this project with the support of the Promoting Rule of Law in Georgia Activity (PROLoG) carried by the East-West Management Institute with the United States Agency for International Development funding (USAID) funding.