The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, is on an official visit to Georgia, where he has begun a series of high-level meetings with representatives of civil society, state institutions and government officials.
Based on the available information, the Commissioner is currently meeting with representatives of the civil sector, with further meetings scheduled with the Public Defender’s Office and members of the Georgian government.
Ahead of his visit, O’Flaherty stated that his trip aims to address key human rights issues in the country and to engage in dialogue with a broad range of stakeholders.
“I am traveling to Georgia to discuss a number of important human rights issues with the government, the authorities, and civil society,” he wrote on X prior to his departure for Tbilisi.
The visit comes amid ongoing discussions about the state of human rights, democratic standards and civic space in Georgia. The Commissioner’s mandate, under the Council of Europe, includes monitoring member states’ compliance with human rights obligations, promoting awareness and providing recommendations to governments.
Georgia, which has been a member of the Council of Europe since 1999, is regularly assessed by the organization’s monitoring bodies on issues such as judicial independence, freedom of expression, and the protection of civil society actors.
Meetings with non-governmental organizations are typically considered a key component of such visits, offering the Commissioner direct insight into challenges faced by civil society, including concerns related to legislative changes, public participation and fundamental freedoms.
The outcomes of the visit, including possible recommendations or follow-up actions, are expected to be outlined in a subsequent statement or report by the Commissioner’s office.
