The USAID Rule of Law Program actively supports collaborative initiatives among diverse stakeholders to tackle the grassroots-level challenges faced by local populations.

On September 28, 2023, the USAID Rule of Law Program provided crucial support for a meeting organized by the civil society organization Prevention for Progress (PFP). The primary focus was the pressing issues surrounding access to justice within the Kvemo Kartli region, particularly in municipalities predominantly inhabited by ethnic minorities.

Seventeen participants attended the meeting, including a judge from Rustavi City Court, prosecutors, lawyers, representatives from the Public Defender's Office Kvemo Kartli Bureau, and members of civil society. Together, they engaged in insightful discussions aimed at devising strategies to enhance public awareness of the judiciary's functioning.

Nazi Janezashvili, Director of Georgian Court Watch (GCW), shared the results of the citizen court monitoring initiative conducted by GCW with the support of the Rule of Law Program. The discussion placed particular emphasis on region-specific challenges, such as the shortage of professional interpreters, that hinder equal access to justice.

Nashir Ordukhanov, the PFP representative, underscored the significance of the meeting, stating, "The event's purpose was to facilitate a constructive dialogue among professionals in this field, enabling them to collaboratively address the local challenges and issues within the justice system."

To disseminate information arising from the discussions, PFP, in collaboration with the local NGO Center for Civic Engagement and Activism, prepared a comprehensive report outlining the barriers to accessing justice. This document analyzes existing legislation and practices concerning translators, the quality of translation during court proceedings, delays in court hearings, inadequate legal aid services, and the lack of information regarding how and when citizens can engage with the court system.

This meeting was part of PFP's broader project supported by the USAID Rule of Law Program. The action is designed to raise awareness about access to justice and the importance of a fair trial among ethnic minorities in the Marneuli and Bolnisi municipalities.