Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698055010670.pdf (Georgia)
ENNHRI CRPD WORKING GROUP NEWSLETTER JULY-SEPTEMBER 2020 / ISSUE II Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Important Role of NHRIs, Regional and International Organizations This publication has been created with the assistance of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Its contents are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of UNDP.
© i Dear reader, It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the II Issue of the ENNHRI CRPD Working Group Newsletter (July-September).

The Newsletter covers information about ENNHRI CRPD WG members’ and other relevant international and regional actors’ work on the rights of persons with disabilities, who are observers of the WG.

The production of the I Issue of the Newsletter was not an easy job.
The Georgian NHRI – Office of Public Defender of Georgia, which is chairing the ENNHRI CRPD WG, took this task as a challenge, and at the same time, as a huge responsibility.

Considering that ENNHRI CRPD WG brings together over 30 ENNHRI Members and other observers, we thought the Newsletter would be a great asset for all of us in driving our work forward.

Our expectations have been met and we are happy to inform you that the I Issue of the Newsletter was a huge success.
We had many positive feedbacks and to my mind, it did not only united us as a WG working for a common objective, but at the same time raised awareness on how effectively and hard we are working to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities.

Let me once again extend our gratitude for your exceptional contributions to the I Issue of the CRPD WG Newsletter.

Without your willingness and dedication, this would not have been possible.
The success of the first Newsletter gave us additional incentives and motivation to continue our work on the II Issue.

This issue of the Newsletter focuses on ENNHRI CRPD WG members’ and observers’ work during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the work of other international and regional networks/organizations.

The current issue outlines the important role of NHRIs, regional and international organizations/networks on the rights of persons with disabilities.
I’m also happy to introduce a new section “Resources”, which contains information regarding useful materials, policy documents, reports, events, guidelines, etc.

We further aim to enrich the Newsletter by adding more sections.

I do hope you find this issue of Newsletter informative and useful.

Please feel free to share it with your colleagues and other stakeholders.

We would greatly appreciate any feedback!


Yours sincerely, Ekaterine Skhiladze Deputy Public Defender of Georgia ENNHRI CRPD Working Group (WG) Chair 3 COVID-19 Updates - ENNHRI CRPD WG Members and Observers Work on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities during COVID-19 Albania In order to address the urgent needs of persons with disabilities during these difficult times the People’s Advocate of Albania established an online media monitoring group with the relevant Order.
The main objective of the daily monitoring groups is to identify and report cases and various problems and to bring it to the attention of responsible bodies.

The People’s Advocate has also started an investigation of a number of cases on its own initiative.

It should be underlined that many problematic issues were addressed to the local government, along with recommendations to take necessary measures to assess socio-economic conditions, provide ongoing economic assistance and support to families.
On July 17, 2020, the People’s Advocate’s Office held an online meeting with the civil society organizations working on the rights of persons with disabilities.

The representative of the Ombudsman Institution talked about the problems faced by persons with disabilities.

See the details here.

Azerbaijan The Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan (HRCA) is actively working on the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.
HRCA continues to receive individual complaints via post, online, e-mail, fax, 24/7 hotlines, as well as Facebook and Twitter accounts of Institution.

From 01 July to 30 September, the HRCA has received 114 complaints regarding disability issues.

The complaints were addressed in time, all necessary inspections were carried out and relevant measures were taken in cooperation with the respective public authorities for the restoration of the violated rights.
The HRCA and the members of the National Preventive Mechanism have carried out a number of visits during this period, in particular: ad hoc visit to Guba city Secondary Boarding School for Children Deprived of Parental Care; boarding schools and children’s homes, located in Baku, and in cities and districts covered by Ganja, Sheki, Guba, and Jalilabad Regional Centers; ad hoc visit to Ganja City Orphanage, Psychiatric Hospital №2; ad hoc visit to Guba Inter-District Psychoneurological Center, etc.
See detailed information here.

i a n a b A l ’ f o e c ffi O s e t a c o v d A s e p o e P e h t l ’ m o r f o t o h P Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Important Role of NHRIs, Regional and International Organizations the social security services.
Bulgaria During the reporting period, the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria has received a lot of complaints from persons with disabilities In regarding particular, according to the applicants, the social security services do not notify them of pending expiry of their needs assessments and subsequent suspension of due monthly allowances.
Therefore, the Ombudsman submitted a recommendation to the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs to identify and introduce mechanisms of due notification for persons with disabilities about the expiration of deadlines for assessment of their individual needs.
This problem is especially relevant for older persons with severe disabilities and lifelong expert decisions, who, due to their deteriorating health condition fail to check the deadlines for filing the required documents, more so in the context of the current pandemic.

See the details here.


“[…] NHRIs are recognized as vital actors in this UN framework approach which highlights the important function NHRIs have to support meaningful participation of marginalized and vulnerable groups in policy responses and monitoring places of detention.
In addition, we have seen the vital work NHRIs have been engaged in to advise governments, issue guidance, support vulnerable populations, address stigma and discrimination and support access to information.” ASAKO OKAI Assistant Secretary General & Director, UNDP Crisis Bureau Statement Delivered at the opening of the virtual event on ”The human rights dimensions of COVID-19: the role and experiences of National Human Rights Institutions” 4 Czech Republic The Public Defender of Rights (Ombudsman) issued a regular quarterly bulletin and also provided an overview of the limits of powers of the legal guardians in a short pamphlet.
In addition to that, the Public Defender’s representative Mgr.

Zuzana Durajová participated in the Webinar: “On-site Monitoring of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities during COVID-19 Pandemic.” She spoke about the Czech experience and the implications of the first wave of Covid-19 on monitoring in institutions.

It should be underlined that the monitoring issues were also discussed within the institution with the involvement of other experts.
The focus of such discussions was on security measures when conducting on-site visits.

Besides, a regular meeting of people with psychosocial disabilities was held to discuss the issue of involuntary hospitalization.

See the details here.


Cyprus The Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights published an Own Initiative Intervention (available in Greek), in relation to the decision for compulsory use of protective masks by children with disabilities over the age of six while attending school.
Following the intervention of the Commissioner, involved Ministries implemented the recommendations and changed the decision, so that the use of & Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Important Role of NHRIs, Regional and International Organizations 5 protective mask is not mandatory for children from six to twelve years, as well as for children over twelve years with hearing impairment or developmental disorders, while teachers, in these cases, may use a transparent plastic mask or face shield, for the purpose of facilitating lip- reading.
On 26 August the Commissioner and an Officer of the Commissioner’s Office held a meeting with representatives of organizations of parents of children with disabilities.

See detailed information here.

Georgia In July 2020, the Special Preventive Group of the Public Defender of Georgia published a special report on the situation of human rights in the quarantine zones.
The report, among other things, outlines the issue of children with behavioral problems, as well as of children with autism placed in quarantine.

Following the recommendation, relevant amendments were made to the Government Decree determining rules on quarantine and self-isolation.

As a result of the amendments, persons and children with disabilities can request self-isolation instead of mandatory quarantine.
In July and August 2020, representatives of the Public Defender of coronavirus cases, the Public Defender of Georgia published a statement and called on the relevant agencies to pay special attention to the protection of the right to health of persons placed in state care institutions, strengthen the risk prevention measures and closely monitor the implementation of the relevant recommendations.

See detailed information here.


Ireland In July 2020, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission submitted its report The Impact of COVID-19 on People with Disabilities to the Irish Parliamentary Committee on Covid-19 Response.

Informed by the deliberations of the Commission’s Disability Advisory Committee, the report identifies how the Covid-19 public health emergency has given rise to significant risks of discrimination and the undermining of rights for persons with disabilities in a range of areas.
With the report, the Commission recommends that an explicit human rights and equality-based approach that is fully inclusive of people with disabilities be taken to responding to Covid-19.

In September 2020, the Commission made another submission to the same Parliamentary Committee, namely Submission to the Special Committee on COVID-19 Response Regarding the Adequacy of the State’s Legislative Framework to Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic and Potential Future National Emergencies.
The submission notes that the pandemic has exposed gaps in the State’s legislative framework, including gaps in respect of disability rights.

The submission also notes issues concerning the accessibility of public health information.

See the details here.
See the details here ffi O e h t f o o t o h P Georgia conducted on-site monitoring visits to 3 large institutions of persons with disabilities (Martyofi, Dusheti and Dzhevri boarding Houses).
Additionally, due to the growing number of Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Important Role of NHRIs, Regional and International Organizations […] the provision by NHRIs of a space for dialogue for civil society organizations (CSOs) and other relevant actors may prove vital to ensuring consultation and transparency.

NHRIs can, within the context of their mandates, demand justification for the decisions of the executive in a period where other oversight bodies may be silent.
Such action by NHRIs will reinforce the democratic texture of a state, by providing all individuals with the opportunity to learn about the grounds for executive decisions.

This is a particular asset in times of national (and global) uncertainty.
OSCE/ODIHR REFERENCE TOOL National Human Rights Institutions in a Public Emergency Northern Ireland The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in partnership with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland submitted written evidence to the UK Parliament’s Women and Equalities inquiry on COVID-19, disability Committee’s and access to services in July.

See the written evidence here.


North Macedonia Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic the State Counselor for Monitoring of the implementation of the CRPD has been actively observing and keeping track of the Government’s response to the crisis.

The team for monitoring the implementation of the UN CRDP focused especially on vulnerable and marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities and socially disadvantaged people.
The monitoring team also conducted several studies, living conditions and protection of rights of children in particular: on the 6 / persons in residential and non-institutional (alternative) care during the pandemic, as well as the challenges and the manner of distance learning, with special emphasis on students with disabilities (at schools and specialized schools).
The Ombudsman issued a statement containing a number of opinions, guidelines and recommendations and addressed the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labor and Social Politics and other relevant institutions to ensure that they uphold their obligations under the UN Conventions in the response to the crisis.

See detailed information here.

Scotland The Commission has published a report on COVID-19, Social Care and Human Rights.
The report highlights that a considerable proportion of disabled and older people who use social care support at home have experienced either a reduction or complete withdrawal of support during the pandemic.

The Commission has therefore called on public bodies to commit to the return of care packages and support at pre- pandemic levels.

The Commission has also published a briefing on care homes and human rights during COVID-19.
This sets out the human rights framework applicable to the issues arising in Scotland’s care homes and details the human rights law requirements to ensure effective investigations are carried out.

In addition to this, the Commission has written to the Clinical and Professional Advisory Group for Care Homes in Scotland, setting out a range of human rights considerations that should be taken into account in developing guidance on visiting individuals in care homes in the context of COVID-19.
Slovenia The Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia carried out extensive work in recent months.
The Ombudsman issued several recommendations to the government, ministries and other stakeholders concerning COVID-19 and beyond, in particular: on mandatory mask- wearing, on issues at institutional care facilities, Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Important Role of NHRIs, Regional and International Organizations provision of services in work centers and training institutions for people with moderate and severe mental and physical disabilities.
The Ombudsman was also critical of the possible outbreak of infection due to severe overcrowding in protective wards and a lack of capacities for establishing red zones.

The Ombudsman called for quick and effective action to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection in the social care accommodation institutions.
The Ombudsman also drew attention to the specifics of children with various chronic, autoimmune, rare or other diseases, which make them even more vulnerable in the event of coronavirus infection.

He recommended to the authorities to include medical professionals from different specialties in the search for solutions, as well as pedagogical staff, who will eventually have to ensure the implementation of the adopted measures.

See detailed information here.


7 ENNHRI CRPD Working Group Work on the Rights of Persons with Disabilitie On 23 September 2020 the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) and the Office of Public Defender of Georgia, organized an online webinar: “On-site Monitoring of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities during COVID-19 Pandemic”.
The event aimed to identify the best practices and share experience in the field of monitoring the institutions for persons with disabilities, one of the most vulnerable groups to the pandemic.
The online meeting provided an opportunity to the representatives of NHRIs responsible for monitoring the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities to receive information about the guidelines for carrying out monitoring visits during the pandemic directly from the representatives of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) and the European Disability Forum (EDF).
Representatives of different NHRIs shared information about their monitoring activities as well.

Follow this link to access the recording and see other details here Following the initiative of the Georgian Public Defender’s Office, Chair of the ENNHRI CRPD WG a first Newsletter was published, for the purpose of raising awareness on the activities of the group.
The Newsletter reflects both the activities of the group members and observers, as well as international and regional news relating to the rights of persons with disabilities.

The first issue of the Newsletter was dedicated to the situation of persons with disabilities in the context of the pandemic.

See the first issue of the Newsletter here.


Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Important Role of NHRIs, Regional and International Organizations 8 Regional and International Actors work on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities international actors have Regional and responded rapidly to the COVID-19 challenge.
Various documents were adopted and guidelines developed for the purpose of assisting respective stakeholders in their work to protect and promote human rights during the pandemic.

Furthermore, many regional and international organizations held important and very useful events online, which was accessible to the wider public.

Such events played a crucial role in supporting NHRIs along with other actors to plan and carry out their activities effectively.
“[...] in order to navigate this pandemic in security, we need more empowerment, and more participation by civil society.

We need to build up human rights-based systems to protect and cherish the people, who are the greatest resource of any country and the only bottom line that really counts.
We need to devise policies that are grounded in right, democracy and rule of law, so that we can minimize the devastating social, economic and humanitarian consequences of COVID-19 – and build back societies that are resilient and fair.

To effectively protect us from crises, all of us need not only national, but also regional and global policies that prioritise civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
We should be building global support for sustainable, inclusive and climate-sensitive growth – both at home and around the world.

Because no-one is safe if everyone is not safe […].“ STATEMENT BY MICHELLE BACHELET, UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS The Future of Human Rights State of the world’s human rights after COVID-19 United Nations The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities held its twenty-third session.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this session was held online and did not include reviews of State parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Among others, the Committee discussed the pandemic and its devastating impact on the lives of persons with disabilities and their families across the globe.
Main highlights from the session include the establishment of the working group on deinstitutionalization of persons with disabilities; advancement in its work to develop a general comment on Article 27 of the CRPD (work and employment), acknowledgment of work and contributions by organizations of persons with disabilities and national human rights institutions, etc.
It’s worth noting that the Chair of Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions Working Group on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities delivered a video message.

The next Session of the Committee will be held next year, from March 8th to 26th (subject to confirmation).

See more detailed information and documents here.

The Committee also held its 14th pre-sessional working group virtually from 7 to 18 September 2020.
The session consisted of an oral briefing with the pre-sessional working group of the from civil Committee and society organizations.

Lists of Issues or Lists of Issues prior to reporting were adopted.

See the details here.

representatives Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Important Role of NHRIs, Regional and International Organizations In October 2020 the UN Human Rights Council elected Mr. Gerard Quinn as the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
He replaced in this position Ms. Catalina Devandas Aguilar, who proudly served as the Special Reporter from 2014 to 2020.

Please read here about Mr. Quinn’s biography and past experience.

UN experts have published guidance on access to justice for people with disabilities.

The guide will assist states in implementing and developing justice systems, which will provide equal access to justice for the person with disabilities, in line with international human rights standards.
The International Principles and Guidelines on Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities was developed by the special rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Disability and Accessibility.

See more details here.


The Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (former SR Ms. Catalina Devandas Aguilar) submitted at the 75th session 9 the of the General Assembly report on disability- inclusive international cooperation.
The report international analyses importance of cooperation to support the implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities and provides guidance to States on how to ensure that international cooperation is inclusive of and accessible to persons with disabilities.

See the details here.


the Committee on The UN-Women, the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, and the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities issued a joint statement on ending sexual harassment against women and girls with disabilities.

See here.
See here.

“[NHRIs] have a central role in navigating the great human rights challenges of our day – tackling both persistent concerns like discrimination and inequality, and novel issues such as the rights implications of artificial intelligence and the COVID-19 pandemic.”.

MICHAEL O’FLAHERTY Director of FRA European Union Equinet In October the European Commission (EC) published its roadmap on the Disability rights strategy for 2021-30.

The EC plans to adopt the roadmap in the 1st quarter of 2021.
The strategy aims to ensure that people with disabilities can experience full social and economic inclusion on an equal basis with others and live free from discrimination.

It will focus on implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and consolidating the EU’s body of law in this field.

See the details here.


On August 17, Equinet presented at the opening meeting of the 23rd session of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and on August 19 was included in a private stakeholder meeting concerning the actions national equality bodies took during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the 28 of July 2020, Equinet submitted its first written observations to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in applications nos.
34591/19 and 42545/19 Franc TOPLAK v. Slovenia and Iztok MRAK v. Slovenia.

The cases concern the accessibility of polling stations to Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Important Role of NHRIs, Regional and International Organizations 10 persons with disabilities in wheelchairs.
This is the first time that the Court will decide on the merits of a case regarding the structural problem of physical accessibility to polling stations regarding persons with disabilities, and the positive duties States have to ensure effective accessibility.

At the beginning of September, Equinet’s Equality Law working group published its Compendium of Article 14 cases from the European Court of Human Rights, covering all cases that fell within article 14 of the ECHR for the last two years.
Non-COVID-19 related ENNHRI CRPD WG Members’ and Observers’ Updates Azerbaijan The Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan (HRCA) has established a Unit on the Protection of the Rights of the persons with disabilities.

The Unit has been recruited with relevant staff.


The HRCA jointly with the Medical Center “Briut” has initiated a new Psychological Support Project, which aims to rehabilitate the shattered psychology of civilians living in the frontline areas with Armenia, particularly of the vulnerable groups of the population from the conflict-affected areas.

Furthermore, the HRCA with the UNICEF Country team has started a new Project.
The main objective of the project is to monitor education, health, social-care establishments, penitentiaries and shelters.

See more details here.

Bulgaria The Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria worked extensively with regards to the several legislative amendments and submitted her opinions to the relevant bodies.

Notably, the Ombudsman addressed the Minister of Health in relation to a draft amending the Regulation on medical expert assessment regulating the disability assessment.
In addition to that, the Ombudsman sent her opinion to the chairperson of the Standing Parliamentary Committee on Labour, Social and Demographic Policy in relation to a bill amending the Social Insurance Code.

The Ombudsman noted that it was necessary to consider and take up effective action to improve the procedure for conducting medical expert assessments without trespassing on the rights of citizens who suffer from genuine illnesses and disabilities and who are in need of social support.
The Ombudsman also voiced her opinion in relation to the draft Bulgarian Sign Language Act, which has been awaited for a long time by the persons with hearing impairment in Bulgaria.
Following discussions with non-governmental organizations of the persons with hearing impairment and the sign language interpreters, the Ombudsman brought to the attention of the Minister of Education and Science important issues that have not been appropriately regulated in the bill and which create preconditions for violation of interested citizens’ rights.

See more details here.


Cyprus The Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights (Ombudsman), within the framework of its jurisdiction as an Independent Mechanism for the Promotion, Protection and Monitoring of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, has published an Activity Report for the years 2017- 2018-2019.

The Activity Report is available here (in English and in Greek).
In addition to that, the Institutions has published a number of reports, namely, report regarding the subsidy of health treatments of children with disabilities, outside of public hospitals (available in Greek), report on building structures for the examination of children with neurological problems in Makarios in Greek) and a report Hospital (available regarding the provision of escorts/assistants to pupils and students with disabilities studying in private education (available in Greek).
It’s worth mentioning that a special website was created to promote good practices related to the promotion of equality and fight against discrimination by Equality Bodies.
In this context Equinet chose Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Important Role of NHRIs, Regional and International Organizations as an example of good practice the contribution of the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights in ensuring the accessibility of persons with disabilities to the beaches.

See detailed information here.


Czech Republic In September, the newly elected 19 members of the Public Defender’s (Ombudsman) CRPD Advisory Body met for the first time.

The topic of the discussion was among others their role in the preparation of the alternative report to the UN Committee next year.

The institution also published long-prepared research “The Crossroads of Autonomy”, analyzing the practice of the courts when deciding on legal capacity and supported decision-making.
Public Defender also issued recommendations on how to protect rights of parents and children with disabilities, their right to privacy and family.

In addition to that, Public Defender initiated research into barriers preventing people with disabilities from independent living and moving from their parents.

See here.

France In 2011, the Defender of Rights (CIDPH) has been designated by the government as an independent mechanism under Article 33.2 of the UN CRPD.
In this capacity, it ensures within a national mechanism, in connection with persons with disabilities and the associations that represent them, a mission of protection, promotion and monitoring of the implementation of the Convention.

Ten years after the entry into force of the UN CRPD in France, the Defender of Rights publishes its first assessment report on the implementation of the Convention.

See detailed information here.


11 Georgia The Public Defender’s Office was actively involved in the cooperation process with different state agencies, including about the creation of State Coordination Mechanism for the Implementation of the UN CRPD, preparation of long-term State Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Public Defender also worked closely with Civil Society organizations working on disability issues.
On 13 July 2020, the Public Defender of Georgia held an online presentation of the special report: “Situation of Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Psychiatric and State Care Institutions.” The report relies on the results of the monitoring conducted in 12 psychiatric inpatient facilities, 3 boarding houses for persons with disabilities and 6 community organizations.
On 14 July 2020 the Public Defender of Georgia published a statement concerning the adoption of the Law of Georgia on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Public Defender stressed that the efforts aimed at ensuring equal, full and effective involvement of persons with disabilities and their organizations in the discussion of the draft law were insufficient.

See detailed information here.


Ireland The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has selected two of its recently- appointed members, both of whom are persons with disabilities, to be Chair and Vice-Chair of its Disability Advisory Committee.

Dr. Rosaleen McDonagh is the Chair and Mr. Adam Harris is the Vice-Chair.

Their biographies can be found on ihrec.ie.


The Committee met on 2 September to consider issues relating to the UN CRPD Article 25 Health in Ireland, and on 7 October to consider issues relating to Article 7 Children with disabilities in Ireland.
Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Important Role of NHRIs, Regional and International Organizations 12 Virtual meeting of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission’s Disability Advisory Committee on 7 October Slovenia The Ombudsman continued with efforts to bring attention to the need for deinstitutionalization and establishment of an independent body to effectively promote, protect and monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and supported the initiative for the entry of Slovene sign language into the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia.
In September 2020 the Ombudsman submitted to the Council of Europe comments to the 19th National Report on the implementation of the European Social Charter.
The submission included several issues related to disability, including long delays in implementation of the legal requirements regarding the accessibility of the physical environment, transportation, information and communication for persons with disabilities, and shortcomings in providing adequate, accessible, affordable and acceptable services for people with disabilities in need of assistance.

Furthermore, the Ombudsman looked into the provision of help to families of children with special needs.
The Ombudsman also carried out a two-day consultation and training on communication with children with special needs for persons acting as “child advocates” in the Ombudsman’s special program aimed at providing expert help to children when expressing their opinion in all proceedings and matters involving the child.

See detailed information here.


Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Important Role of NHRIs, Regional and International Organizations 13 Resources The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights presented a report to the UN Human Rights Council on its forty-fourth Session on the relationship between climate change and the full and effective enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities.
The report analyzes the impacts of climate change on the persons with disabilities, human rights obligations and the responsibilities of States and other actors in relation to disability-inclusive approaches identified; and good practices.

The main conclusion of the report is that poverty, stigma and discrimination were identified as the three key components which expose persons with disabilities to the impacts of climate change.

The report is available here.


The (IDA), International Disability Alliance along with a number of partners conducted independent monitoring of state measures concerning the impact of COVID-19 on persons with disabilities.
According to the findings of the COVID-19 Disability Rights Monitor, the states have “overwhelmingly failed to take sufficient measures to protect the rights of persons with disabilities in their responses to the pandemic.” Therefore, IDA, together with other partners raises the alarm worldwide on the devastating impact of the COVID-19 on the rights of persons with disabilities and calls on relevant actors to take urgent measures as soon as possible.
IDA in partnership with International Disability & Development Consortium (IDDC) organized a series of Webinars on CRPD-Compliant Covid19 response and recovery.

The first webinar focused on non-discrimination, accessibility and on persons with disabilities in humanitarian settings, while the second one tackled the impact of the pandemic on the right to education for learners with disabilities, disability-inclusive social protection scheme & access to health and emergency services.
The recordings of both webinars, along with other materials are available here.

OSCE/ODIHR published a reference tool for NHRIs in a public emergency.

The reference tool aims to assist national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in the exercise of their functions during times of public emergency and post-emergency.
We invite you to share your activities as well as any feedback and questions by writing to the Office of Public Defender of Georgia at: nberishvili@ombudsman.ge © i Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Important Role of NHRIs, Regional and International Organizations