Date of birth: January 26, 1989 (32 years old)

Profession: human rights defender, civil activist, youth worker. 

Place of birth: Tbilisi.

Irakli Kemoklidze, son of David, was born in In Tbilisi on January 26, 1989, in a family intellectuals.

In 2008, he graduated from the 193rd public school of Tbilisi.

He graduated from a professional institute, successfully passing the exam on operating systems and computer science.

His mother and guardian – Maia Asakashvili – is a philologist, journalist and teacher. Former doctoral student in special education and inclusive pedagogy, she is an expert in the issues of people with disabilities and a human rights defender. 

She is also the founder of the Association for Helping Children with Hearing and Speech Impairment (Parents' Union), the founder and director of the wooden social enterprise "Ray", the head of various social projects, the holder of numerous international certificates, the author of different scientific works, newspaper publications, and columns.

The father – Davit Kemoklidze – was an engineer, candidate of technical sciences, author of many scientific works, co-author of many textbooks together with Professor Gorgaslan Kemoklidze, which was Irakli's grandfather.

Since 1997 – since childhood – Irakli has been actively involved with the activities of the Association for Helping Children with Hearing and Speech Impairment and participated in various activities.

In 2016, he co-founded and became an active member of the wooden social enterprise "Ray".

Irakli Kemoklidze was the first person with a disability to apply to the court to protect his and his friends' rights. In 2014, Irakli Kemoklidze successfully won a case in the Constitutional Court against the Parliament of Georgia.

 On October 8, 2014, the Constitutional Court made a historic decision (N2/4/5-3-2014), deeming the existing legal regulations on capacity limitation unconstitutional. This ruling marked an unprecedented milestone in the history of the country's parliamentary system and justice system.

This court decision served as a pivotal moment that laid the foundation for a comprehensive reform of capacity regulation in Georgia.

Following the Constitutional Court's ruling, the Parliament of Georgia was granted a period of 6 months to align the disputed legislative norms with the Constitution. In March 2015, the Parliament successfully passed a comprehensive package of amendments to 36 laws. These changes ensured that Georgia's legislation was brought into compliance with Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Irakli Kemoklidze's lawsuit and the subsequent decision of the Constitutional Court served as the catalyst for the transition to a social model of reform in Georgia. As a result, civil rights were restored to individuals with individuals receiving support from a guardian, including the right to participate in elections. 

Irakli Kemoklidze has been awarded with various certificates:

2005 - "Let's learn to live together" - United States Agency for International Development (USAID), international organization "World Education";

 2012 - "Start-Caucasus; Sports day at the care home", within the framework of an initiative for inclusive sport;

2013 - special certificate for participation in sport and health activities at the National Center for Children and Youth of the Republic of Moldova;

2015 - Certificate awarded by the U.S. Embassy on the "Development of entrepreneurial skills and creation of equal conditions for persons with disabilities";

2017 - Certificate in "Modern methods of working with people with intellectual disabilities using modern educational and therapeutic tools, an aid for employment in the open labor market" obtained within the framework of the RITA project, of the Association of People with Intellectual Disability in Poland;

2018 - Certificate obtained at an international training for young workers organized by ERASMUS+ on mobility workers and youth "Basic skills for employment";

2018 - certificate obtained always within the ERASMUS+ program on product development and marketing strategies for social enterprises;

2019 - Obtained the certificate in "Carpentry industry for the social inclusion of people with disabilities", successfully passing the theoretical and practical training course for carpentry working using informal education methods and approaches tailored to individual needs, organized by the Children and Youth Development Fund, Czech organization "People in Need" , Czech Development Agency;

2017 - Irakli was awarded a special prize in the field of human rights by the French Embassy in Georgia for his contribution to the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities;

2019 - always by the Embassy of France, he was awarded a prize and a diploma for his contribution to the protection of the rights of the most vulnerable group, children with disabilities;

Irakli Kemoklidze participated in various international conferences, festivals and exhibitions, where he received other certificates: "We see the sun" for the participation in the Sun Festival of Geosel, Mziuri company; "Let's be together", a charity exhibition of Art School of the Future, and others.

Irakli Kemoklidze has entered the history of the disability rights movement in Georgia as a human rights defender and civil activist, who, through his advocacy, changed the lives of many people with disabilities.

 Irakli Kemoklidze's unwavering perseverance, tireless advocacy for the rights of people with disabilities, and active involvement in civil activism demonstrated the enduring significance of the struggle. His efforts not only brought about significant changes but also laid the groundwork for substantial transformations on a larger scale in Georgia.

Irakli Kemoklidze passed away on February 6, 2021. However, his impactful struggle left an indelible mark. He is remembered as a pioneering reformer and the founder of the capacity building system reform. His legacy is already passed down from generation to generation, ensuring that his contributions are never forgotten. His case and name are even included in the textbook studied at the Faculty of Law of Georgian universities, further cementing his significance in Georgia's legal education.

On December 10, 2021, Irakli Kemoklidze was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by the President of Georgia. This prestigious recognition was granted in acknowledgment of his exceptional personal contribution to the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, his remarkable civic activism, his efforts in raising public awareness about disability-related issues, and his unwavering civic position. The award was bestowed based on Decree N07/12/01, issued on December 7, 2021, in Tbilisi. Irakli Kemoklidze was honored as a human rights defender and a dedicated civil activist deserving of this high distinction.

The awarding ceremony was held in the Orbeliani Palace, on the International Day of Human Rights Protection. The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, presented the State award to Irakli Kemoklidze's mother, Maia Asakashvili, remembered his work and noted that "...Irakli Kemoklidze's legacy represents a symbol of civic activism and perseverance in the history of Georgia's civil society. Civic activism is a real struggle, a significant and persistent effort that aims to achieve results when individuals correctly and consistently address the consequences. Irakli Kemoklidze truly accomplished results and set an example in the defense of human rights and the protection of rights on a legal level, preventing any regressions. The Constitutional Court instructed the Parliament to make amendments in up to 36 laws, and the Parliament duly fulfilled this obligation, implementing the changes since 2015. This is a remarkable achievement that needs to be passed on as an example to future generations. It represents substantial knowledge, extensive learning, and the outcome of significant efforts. It signifies that such struggles, no matter how long they last, always yield results and serve as inspiration for further actions. It is our wish that today we acknowledge and appreciate this achievement and recognize the dedication of his family." – Salome Zurabishvili.

Irakli Kemoklidze is buried in Saburtalo cemetery (Jikia), in Tbilisi.