Council of Europe Office in Georgia and the Governmental Administration hosted on 13 February a conference to present the recommendations provided to Georgia by GREVIO, the independent expert body which monitors the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), as well as by the Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention.
At the event, representatives of non-governmental organisations and academia together with the State agencies and Maria-Andriani Kostopoulou, GREVIO member and second vice-president of GREVIO, discussed the steps to take to implement the 16 recommendations approved by the Committee of the Parties to the Convention in December 2022. The recommendations are the most pressing as indicated in the first GREVIO baseline report on Georgia published in November 2022. Georgia is to submit a report on the implementation of the recommendations to the Committee of the Parties by the end of 2025.
Stefan Sirbu, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Georgia stressed that:
“Violence against women is a human rights issue, therefore, it is not only women who should be taking care for this, but it calls for the collective effort of the community and an integrated approach. This conference is the first opportunity to discuss those findings that are encouraging and those that should be a matter of concern. Out of 16 recommendations provided, I would highlight the amendment of the Criminal law to include a definition of rape and other sexual violence offences that fully incorporate the notion of the lack of freely given consent, and the involvement of NGOs at all stages of policy development and implementation.”
Niko Tatulashvili, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Human Rights Issues noted:
"Obviously, we are under no illusion that everything is fine and there is nothing to change, but important steps have been taken in this direction in recent years. Some of the recommendations provided are ongoing, such as awareness raising activities as well strengthening of institutional mechanisms. Some recommendations have already been implemented, such as approving the State compensation rule or abolishing victim’s status requirement. However, there are still issues that need to be further discussed such as legislative amendments related to the definition of rape. We understand that the State agencies are accountable to the Council of Europe, but the State could not be efficient without the support of r actors. We are therefore glad to be represented here together with non-governmental and international organisations and I believe joining efforts is critical for the upcoming years’’
Among other things, the report said, GREVIO, in its report, urges the authorities to increase non-governmental organisation’s involvement both in the policy-making process and in developing specific services, to eliminate address bureaucratic obstacles related to obtaining the victim status, as well as to review the procedures for issuing restraining orders., and provided other recommendations.
Baia Pataraia, Union “Sapari” highlighted:
“I would like to highlight the role of NGOs in this process. We hear concerns of the members of the parliament with regards to the amendments to the law on the definition of rape. I believe we have to work individually with each member of the Parliament and explain that these amendments do not provoke any fundamental changes from the point of view of the constitution, nor the criminal code. The entities of the executive branch- the ministry of interior and the prosecutor’s office are well trained to address to address these topics, they are equipped with relevant guidelines. Now, the decision is up to the legislative branch. And, this is a legislative issue, not a political one, that is derived from human rights.”
Three thematic panels of the conference were devoted to the legislation on sexual crimes, legal responses to gender-based violence and prevention mechanisms, protection and support services from violence and consideration of an intersectional approach for women from different groups.
Nino Tsilosani, Chairperson of the Gender Equality Council of the Parliament said " having documents like the GREVIO recommendations is extremely important for us policymakers, because it allows us to plan next steps correctly. We will discuss the above-mentioned recommendations in different formats, including in effective coordination with the Council of Europe and Government Administration. Most importantly, we are ready to follow the process to the end and implement the legislation in accordance with the Convention, and If necessary, make appropriate changes.’’
The Conference was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe’s project - “Promoting an Integrated Approach to End Violence against Women and Enhancing Gender Equality in Georgia".
