Human rights organizations express concern over breach of confidentiality of Public Defender’s prison visits

The European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI), in collaboration with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), Equinet – European Network of Equality Bodies, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders Michel Forst have issued a statement to support the Georgian NHRI (Public Defender of Georgia), following the state’s breach of the confidentiality of the Public Defender’s prison visits, and subsequent attacks on the institution.

“We express the concern that recent actions by the Georgian state are in contradiction with domestic, regional and international standards. The actions of the government of Georgia risk deteriorating a conducive environment for the Georgian Public Defender to carry out its work effectively and independently. The disclosure of confidential information can undermine the Public Defender’s work and may put its staff at risk. It could also have negative repercussions to prisoners with whom the Public Defender met and break the trust between them,” the statement reads.

The human rights organizations call on Georgian state institutions to uphold these international principles and to promptly and thoroughly investigate such cases, in cooperation with the Public Defender.