President Margvelashvili: We Should Listen to Public Defender’s Recommendations
The President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, expressed his support of the institution of the Public Defender by stating that the ombudsman’s recommendations should be taken into account, in order to make daily practice more civilized.
Margvelashvili made the statement while delivering a speech at the Evolution and Challenges of Multi-mandated National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Public Defender's Office.
The president welcomed the Georgian Public Defender’s integration with European institutions and noted that this process will further develop political culture in Georgia.
“The public defender has a difficult mission to detect the mistakes made by us in daily political life. Our reaction to it shows how we tolerate and develop a European political life,” Margvelashvili said, going on to underline that the main thing is not to turn a blind eye to the public defender’s recommendations.
“It is important that parliament carefully consider those remarks and recommendations cited by the ombudsman in his annual reports[…]Listening to the Public Defender and having a dialogue with him is of utmost importance,” Margvelashvili said.
The president expressed hope that the intensive dialogue in the format offered by Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili, will also be further developed.
“I hope each year the Georgian political system will be more focused on human rights and freedoms," he added.
The International Conference, held on April 19, gathered ombudsmen of various countries, human rights defenders, representatives of international and civil societies, as well as representatives of government.
The participants discussed the current situations, challenges and advancements relating to the multi-mandated human rights institutions, while representatives of foreign human rights institutions shared the experience and best practices of their countries.
The event also provided a brief overview of the evolution of the institution of the public defender in Georgia during the last 20 years and was followed by examining the premises of development of the international and regional NHRI networks.
“During 20 years, the Office of Public Defender has undergone serious evolution,” Nanuashvili said. “It has developed as an independent institution which has gained significant international recognition”.
He added that his office does its best to cover all fields where human rights need to be protected.
During the conference, special emphasis was placed on the role of NHRI networks in the promotion and protection of human rights.
International perspectives were also provided on the challenges that multiple mandated institutions are facing, together with the benefits.
By Thea Morrison