Georgian Parliament Approves Nino Lomjaria Public Defender
The Parliament of Georgia has approved the candidacy of Nino Lomjaria, Deputy-Auditor General and former Executive Director of Georgian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) - International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), for the position of Public Defender of Georgia.
Lomjaria’s candidacy was named by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD), and was supported by 96 MPs, while 20 votes were gained by another candidate Giorgi Popkhadze, presented by the opposition party the Alliance of Patriots of Georgia.
“There is no more honor for a human rights defender than being Public Defender of Georgia,” the newly-elected Ombudsman stated, and thanked the MPs for her appointment in this position.
“Such strong support was unexpected. I am ready to cooperate with all of the people who have questions for me and am more than willing to answer them,” she added.
Lomjaria did not rule out that she will carry out some structural and systematic changes in the Public Defender’s Office.
“I will study the situation at the office and make a decision about possible changes only after this. I will be very open and everything will be done with the well-being of the people as priority” she added.
The Speaker of Parliament, Irakli Kobakhidze, congratulated Lomjaria on the new position.
“I hope the Parliament and the Public Defender’s office will establish productive cooperation,” the Speaker added.
Lomjaria’s candidacy, along with the other three, were selected by Non-Governmental Organizations, and presented to the majority.
She was also backed by the opposition United National Movement, while the European Georgia and the Alliance of Patriots of Georgia did not support her, saying the GD made the decision to nominate Lomjaria without holding any consultations with the opposition parties.
Current Public Defender, Ucha Nanuashvili’s 5-year term concludes on December 7.
By Thea Morrison
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