The Parliament heard the Report of the Public Defender, Nino Lomjaria on the Human Rights and Freedom state in Georgia for 2021.

As she noted, 4 666 applications have been received by the PD Office in 2021 on violation of human rights, and 11 126 calls have been received by the operator. In 2021, the Public Defender has issued 67 recommendations to the state agencies, most of which have been directed to the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Education and the Interior Ministry.

The Office has developed 20 special reports, 17 constitutional appeals and 4 communications for the CoE Committee of Ministers; and developed and sent 13 opinions on amicus curiae as the PD stated.

According to her, the PD Office has revealed 161 new facts of discrimination. N. Lomjaria dwelt on the challenges on the protection of the right to live and highlighted the mental clinics and the rights of the patients, as well as the violation of privacy, femicide, decision-making in the High Council of Justice and rapid and effective jurisdiction.

The pandemic approaches in 2021 were problematic, she stated stressing the freedom of expression; according to her, the journalists, civil activists and defenders had to conduct their activity in a high-risk environment.

She overviewed the rights of the children, violence against children, rights of persons with disabilities on the occupied territories etc.

According to her, the Office has been observing the cultural heritage monuments, namely, the rehabilitation of Gelati Monastery. She estimated the rights of the aged citizens and noted that this is one of the most marginalized and vulnerable groups.

She named the problems of ethnic minorities, their political integration and engagement in the decision-making process.

After the report, N. Lomjaria answered the questions