The Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee reviewed the report submitted by the Public Defender, “The Situation in Human Rights and Freedoms in Georgia 2025”.

According to the presenter, the Public Defender of Georgia, Levan Ioseliani, 2,256 cases were opened for examination during the reporting period, and human rights violations were identified in 85 cases.

He noted that, in order to restore violated rights, the Public Defender addressed relevant recommendations to various state institutions and other entities.

“It is noteworthy that in 20 cases, with our assistance, violated rights were fully restored. As part of the equality mechanism, the Public Defender is authorized to facilitate settlements between parties in discrimination cases. Within this mandate, in 2025, the Public Defender successfully helped the parties reach an agreement in four cases”, - Levan Ioseliani stated.

According to him, the Public Defender’s hotline received 14,756 calls in 2025, while the number of information and consultation requests increased by 33 percent compared to 2024.

The Public Defender further noted that during 2025 his Office prepared 23 special reports and four alternative reports for submission to international bodies, filed three constitutional complaints, issued 18 amicus curiae opinions, and submitted two communications to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Speaking about the rights situation of conflict-affected populations, Levan Ioseliani stated that violations of property rights remained a daily challenge in 2025 for citizens living near the occupation line.

According to him, the illegal process of so-called “borderization” by occupying forces continues, as do unlawful detentions and imprisonment on charges of illegally crossing the so-called border.

The Public Defender also emphasized that major challenges remain in the occupied territories, including access to education in one’s native language, inadequate healthcare services and infrastructure, the qualifications of medical personnel, and difficulties faced by patients when crossing so-called checkpoint crossings.

The report also addresses a wide range of issues, including the right to life; the right to liberty and security; the right to a fair trial; the right to privacy; the prohibition and investigation of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; freedom of expression; freedom of assembly; electoral rights; the right to equality; the rights of persons with disabilities; the protection of national minorities and civil integration; the rights of children; and other human rights issues.

Following the presentation of the report, representatives of various institutions delivered remarks, after which the meeting continued in a question-and-answer format.

Members of the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee endorsed the Committee’s conclusion, which analyzes the challenges identified in the Public Defender’s report and outlines a draft set of parliamentary assignments aimed at addressing those challenges.