“With elections planned for this year, Georgia has a wonderful opportunity to enhance the enjoyment of all human rights for all its citizens, and especially the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, which are the fulcrum for the enjoyment of democracy and economic development,” said Maina Kiai (right), United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, who will travel to Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi.

“This mission will provide me with an opportunity to look in-depth at issues concerning freedoms of peaceful assembly and association in Georgia, by allowing me to collect first-hand information from the different actors concerned.”

During his visit, the Special Rapporteur will meet with Government officials, representatives of the judiciary, legislature, media, civil society, as well as with the Public Defender. He will also meet representatives of the diplomatic corps, United Nations system and other international organizations.

Based on information gathered during the visit, Maina Kiai will present a report containing its final observations and recommendations at the 20th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Maina Kiai was appointed as Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in March 2011 by the Human Rights Council for an initial period of three years. He took up his functions on 1 May 2011. As Special Rapporteur, he is independent from any Government or organization and serves in his individual capacity.

Regional consultations with UN expert

Human rights defenders from Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Western Europe and Western Balkans met Maina Kiai for regional consultations on the situation of human rights in their countries organised by the Human Rights House Network in collaboration with OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The consultations were held in Tbilisi on 3-4 February 2012 and looked into best practices and challenges regarding the right to freedoms of assembly and association.

With human rights defenders from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, Maina Kiai also held a press conference on 4 February, to explain the visit he will undertake in Georgia and explain how important consultations with civil society are for UN experts.