On January 27, 2020, the Public Defender of Georgia found that Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University and Akaki Tsereteli Batumi Public Library exercised direct discrimination against “Identoba” on grounds of sexual orientation and activities. GYLA defended the interests of “Identoba”.

The Public Defender of Georgia addressed with the recommendation to Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University and Akaki Tsereteli Batumi Public Library to develop internal document on policies prohibiting and preventing discrimination and to conduct future activities in accordance with the principle of equality.

Upon receipt of the recommendation, we were informed, that within the framework of measures to be taken to fulfill the recommendation, the Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University has adopted a decree, according to which:

-Structural units of the university were given the recommendation to act in accordance with the legislation and internal regulations to exclude perception of the actions (verbal and written communication) of their employees by outsiders as a particular (discriminatory) treatment;

-The university structural units were ordered to present suggestions/opinions on assessment, elimination and prevention of the possible threats and risks of discrimination at the university;

As for Akaki Tsereteli Batumi Public Library, its board took the Public Defender’s recommendation as a notification. According to them, the management of the Batumi Public Library will consider the issues mentioned in the Public Defender’s recommendation in the further work.

-Amendments to the regulatory rule on holding an event at the university are planned.

GYLA will continue to monitor how these institutions implement their planned activities to prevent discrimination.

Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association was handling the mentioned case with the support of USAID/PROLoG.