The deliberation of Bills on Draft Constitutional Amendments concerning Family Values and the Protection of Minors is ongoing. The steering commission convened today in Batumi to discuss the constitutional amendments.

The Steering Commission, led by the Speaker of the Parliament briefed the population on the essence and significance of the constitutional amendments. As Shalva Papuashvili emphasized, the constitutional amendments address issues related to family values and the protection of minors.

“According to our constitution, when an amendment pertains to the constitution or when a law takes the form of a constitutional law, it is required to conduct a public discussion. This allows the parliament to reassess the public sentiment concerning the issue. If there is support from the public, then the parliamentary procedures can proceed”, - said the Speaker in Batumi, at the meeting of the Steering Commission of the Universal-Public Review of Constitutional Amendments.

As he said, the Steering Commission will conclude its work on May 17, and present to parliament the public opinions and the level of support for this idea.

“We must respond adequately to these challenges. What was unthinkable even 7, 8, or 10 years ago, and was completely unacceptable to our mentality, is now quite possible to put on the agenda. Therefore, we should equip ourselves today with the constitutional order, an order that will protect our children”, - added David Matikashvili, the First Deputy Chairman of the Legal Issues Committee.

According to the draft constitutional law, "the protection of family values and minors is ensured by the constitutional law of Georgia, which is an integral part of the Constitution of Georgia”. The draft of the constitutional law of Georgia, titled "On Family Values and Protection of Minors," addresses various issues concerning marriage, adoption and foster care of minors, medical intervention to change a person’s sex, indication of gender in official documents, use of gender-related concepts, and the gathering and dissemination of information.

During the current week, discussions on constitutional bills will also occur in Ozurgeti, Batumi, Zugdidi, and Mestia.