ALL HUMAN, ALL EQUAL – Human Rights Week 2021
Human Rights Day, observed annually on 10 December, marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The Declaration sets out a broad range of fundamental rights and freedoms to which all of us are entitled. It grants the rights of every individual, without distinction based on nationality, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status.
10 December is also a great opportunity to acknowledge national achievements and highlight persisting challenges, including those related to equality and discrimination; create space for a constructive discussion; promote the EU’s work in the field of human rights and highlight specific initiatives.
In recent years, the EU has made available over GEL 100 million for human rights protection and promotion in Georgia, through capacity building of the national human rights institutions and support of civil society organizations, which are key partners to guarantee human rights protection. The EU has supported up to 40 projects dedicated to human rights and gender equality, as well as a number of actions to combat all forms of inequality and discrimination and put in practice the main objective of the SDGs of leaving no one behind.
With active support of the EU and UN partners, capacities of the Personal Data Protection Inspector, public defender and Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia were strengthened, More than 120 trainings were conducted on human rights related issues for judiciary, parliament, local self-government bodies and representatives of law enforcement agencies (Human Rights for All II). The EU has achieved a real change by strengthening women in business, preventing gender discrimination, promoting gender equality, securing equal social and economic participation, (Job Equality: Equal, Inclusive and Safe Work Place in Georgia; EU4Gender Equality: Together Against Gender Stereotypes and Gender-Based Violence). The EU has taken significant measures to guarantee better accessible environment for people with disabilities (Promotion of Rights Based Social Services for People with Disabilities and Elderly; Civil Society Action for Promoting Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Georgia), as well as improve reintegration possibilities for ethnic and sexual minorities; For more information, see the projects below.
Starting from 3 December, the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia will mark Human Rights Week together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN HIGH Commissioner for Human Rights in the South Caucasus (OHCHR), and the Public Defender’s Office in close partnership with Georgia’s national human rights institutions and other partner organizations.
This year’s Human Rights Week will cover various activities, including the EU’s and WECF Georgia’ Media4Equality Award 2021, as well as the first meeting of the Interagency Coordinating Committee for the Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Further videos and materials will be shared on our platforms.
