Objectives of the visit

At the invitation of the Government of Georgia, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, Gerard Quinn, will conduct an official country visit from 4 to 14 September 2023. During this visit, the Special Rapporteur will assess the human rights situation of persons with disabilities and progress in the implementation of related human rights standards. The visit will be conducted in line with established terms of reference for country visits by Special Procedures.

The Special Rapporteur will begin the visit in Tbilisi and intends to travel to other regions, including both urban and rural areas, to gain first-hand understanding of issues related to the human rights of persons with disabilities. During his visit, he intends to convene meetings with Government officials; persons with disabilities and their representative organizations; civil society; national human rights institutions; service providers; relevant international agencies and donors; and other relevant stakeholders.

At the end of the visit on 14 September 2023, the Special Rapporteur will debrief relevant Government officials on his preliminary findings. In line with established practice, he will also hold a press conference in order to share the preliminary findings with the broader public.

The Special Rapporteur will present a report on the country visit to the Human Rights Council at its March session in 2024.

Key questions and types of input sought

In accordance with the established practice of UN Special Procedures mandate holders, the Special Rapporteur is inviting all interested organizations of persons with disabilities, civil society organizations, academia and other stakeholders to provide information that they may wish to transmit for his consideration in preparation for the visit. 

Particularly useful information could include:

• Recent analytical reports or surveys related to the protection and enjoyment of rights of persons with disabilities in Georgia;
• Information on policies, programmes, and the legal framework pertaining to the rights of persons with disabilities, including any gaps with international human rights standards that may exist;
• Priority issues, concerns, and/or situations that may warrant the attention of the Special Rapporteur during his visit;
• Information on intersectional factors that may particularly compound discrimination and barriers to equal enjoyment of human rights experienced by persons with disabilities; 
• Information on progress achieved and obstacles encountered in community and independent living of persons with disabilities;
• Information on the reform of mental health legislation;
• Information on the role of donors in supporting national implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities;
• Suggestions of key issues to examine and related places to visit, as relevant to the mandate of the Special Rapporteur;
• Suggestions of organizations of persons with disabilities, civil society actors and/or Government institutions or officials in Georgia with whom to meet during the country visit.

How and where to submit inputs

Please submit your written inputs by 30 June 2023 to hrc-sr-disability@un.org (indicating “2023 Visit to Georgia” in the subject heading of the email submission).

How inputs will be used

All inputs will be treated confidentially by the Special Rapporteur and his team and for the sole purpose of preparing for the county visit.

Reports, academic studies and other types of background materials can be attached as an annex to the submission.