The Council of Europe Office in Georgia brought together 42 law students from various Georgian universities for a Summer School to deepen their understanding of human rights and strengthening their advocacy skills.

The Summer School provided participants with a comprehensive training on the role of the Council of Europe in promoting human rights, with a specific focus on the rights and freedoms protected by the European Convention on Human Rights. The intensive program covered key human rights issues, including the right to life, liberty, and security, as well as freedom of expression, and freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

The seven-day programme of the Summer School was designed not only to enhance the participants’ theoretical knowledge but also to develop their practical skills in preparing and presenting cases before administrative and judicial bodies. The practical part of the programme included moot court sessions, where students argued their cases before a panel of judges and received constructive feedback on their performance.

The program also aimed to strengthen participants’ communication skills to build diverse and inclusive teams. Through group activities and discussions, the students learned how to collaborate effectively, navigate group dynamics, and communicate persuasively in the context of human rights protection.

“My expectations regarding this training have been exceeded. The knowledge of European human rights standards and practical experience I gained here are invaluable for my further professional growth and work. I gained new perspectives on human rights challenges and learned innovative ways to address them,” shared one of the participants of the Summer School.

Participants with notable academic achievements were selected among young professionals, already engaged in civil society activities. The initiative is part of a broader effort to promote human rights and the rule of law within Georgian law enforcement institutions.

This activity was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe Project "Enhancing Human Rights Compliant Approach in Law Enforcement Institutions in Georgia," designed to address the issues related to effective policing in line with human rights standards, the treatment of juvenile victims and offenders, as well as effective investigation into alleged ill-treatment by police and effective remedies against police misconduct. The Project is funded through the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2024-2027.

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