On December 19-20, 2023, the Public Defender’s Office (PDO) with USAID Rule of Law Program support, organized a thematic working meeting to discuss existing and prospective strategic litigation cases that focus on safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities. 

The event brought together twenty-three representatives from the PDO's Strategic Litigation Division and other Departments, the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA), the Partnership for Human Rights (PHR), and nine psychiatrists. 

Giorgi Chkheidze, Chief of Party for the USAID Rule of Law Program, opened the meeting by underscoring the program's commitment to advancing access to justice for all, particularly for individuals with substantial physical and mental impairments.

During the meeting, the PDO’s Strategic Litigation Division presented three ongoing strategic litigation cases submitted to the Constitutional Court of Georgia. These cases pertain to the constitutionality of forced and involuntary treatment, as well as constraints on patient rights during voluntary treatment. Participants engaged in discussions regarding challenges encountered in practice, and exchanged opinions and experiences to comprehend the perspectives of both medical and legal professionals on specific issues.

This collaborative effort aims to assist the PDO in structuring its arguments for cases submitted to the Constitutional Court.