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Appeal of civil society organizations working on the issues of girls, women, children, persons with disabilities, and minorities

To the members of the State Constitutional Commission of Georgia, the Parliament of Georgia, and the Council on Gender Equality at the Parliament of Georgia:

We, civil society organizations working on human rights issues, including gender equality and the rights of women, children, persons with disabilities and other minority groups, would like to express our opinion about the work of the State Constitutional Commission of Georgia, which is not oriented at improving the human rights situation of the most vulnerable and oppressed groups, as clearly evidenced once more by discussions following presentation of a recommendation submitted the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) for the development of constitutional safeguards for gender equality during a meeting of the working group of the Commission. The presentation was followed by dismissive and sarcastic remarks on the part of the Commission members.  

We believe that the rights of women and other vulnerable groups are not implemented properly, which is mostly caused by the lack of constitutional safeguards of substantive equality. The infringement on the dignity of women and minorities is manifested in the most visible way in the exercise of social, economic, cultural and political rights. For this reason, social consensus on protection of vulnerable groups is important. The Constitution of Georgia should serve as the main mechanism for the achievement of substantive gender equality in the country, which will ensure equality of girls, women, persons with disabilities, and minority groups.

In light of the above, we urge

Members of the State Constitutional Commission:

To discuss the mechanisms for achieving real equality of girls, women, persons with disabilities, and minority groups with an in-depth knowledge of and sensitivity to the issue, with the aim of full involvement of these groups in social, economic, political and cultural life and improving their human rights situation in general;     

To involve organizations specializing in the issues of girls, women, persons with disabilities, and minorities in the work of the State Constitutional Commission with appropriate status;  

To hold consultations with civil society organizations and groups working on gender equality issues to ensure that needs of women, girls, persons with disabilities, and minorities are reflected in the supreme law of Georgia.    

The Parliament of Georgia:

To exercise more care and responsibility in relation to the obligations undertaken by Georgia which aim to improve human rights situation of girls, women, persons with disabilities, and minority groups, and to ensure proper and timely fulfillment of these obligations.

The Council on Gender Equality at the Parliament of Georgia:  

To ensure that the Constitutional Commission works in accordance with the principles of gender and inclusive equality;

To conduct a detailed analysis of the proposed draft of the Constitution and develop proposals for ensuring real equality;   

To inform members of the Constitutional Commission of the principles, obligations, mechanisms, and means of achieving real equality.    

We, the organizations working on human rights, including the issues of girls, women, persons with disabilities and minorities, stand ready to hold meetings and consultations as needed, with both the State Constitutional Commission of Georgia and representatives of any agency interested in the issue to share detailed information.   

Signatory organizations:

1. Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA);

2. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED);

3. Movement for Equality

4. Gender Equality Network; 

5. Women’s Fund in Georgia;

6. Journalists’ Network for Gender Equality;

7. Partnership for Human Rights;

8. Bridge – Innovation and Development; 

9. Gender Fairness; 

10. Center for Women’s Education and Information;

11. Civic Initiatives for Democracy and Gender Equality;

12. Social Initiatives Group;

13. Children of the Sun – Down Syndrome; 

14. Education and Labor Association;

15. Association “Art for the Public Interests”;

16. Telavi Gender Media Center;

17. Rustavi Gender Media Center;

18. Gori Gender Media Center; 

19. Ozurgeti Gender Media Center;

20. Kutaisi Gender Media Center;

21. Zugdidi Gender Media Center;

22. Georgian Democracy Initiative;

23. Batumi Gender Media Center;

24. Akhaltsikhe Gender Media Center; 

25. Women in Europe for a Common Future/Georgia (WECF/Georgia);

26. Women’s Information Center; 

27. Sapari;

28. Center for Development of Civil Society and Democracy;