The Chair of the Human Rights Protection and Civil Integration Committee, Rati Ionatamishvili, and Committee member Tornike Phagava met with representatives of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

During the meeting, the parties discussed the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process and the role of parliaments at the stages of preparing and presenting national reports.

Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of parliamentary involvement in the post-UPR process, including the consideration of relevant recommendations and oversight of their implementation.

It was noted that although the Universal Periodic Review is conducted once every five years, parliaments have the ability, through existing oversight mechanisms, to regularly hear and assess the implementation of recommendations.

The IPU representatives spoke about a new guideline designed to assist parliaments in improving human rights protection standards.

The meeting also highlighted the IPU’s growing attention to the rights of persons with disabilities, noting that a number of events are planned in this regard.

Commitment was expressed for future cooperation and the sharing of experience.

In this context, the Parliament of Georgia was described as being of particular interest to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

​The parties agreed to continue their cooperation and discussed possible next steps.