Public Defender: The President may not like some assessments or criticism, but this is an integral part of a public official's obligation to listen with patience

According to Public Defender Nino Lomjaria, if Salome Zourabichvili is discriminated on the ground of gender, the Public Defender's Office will definitely respond to it. Lomjaria responded to the statement issued by the Administration of the President of Georgia.

According to Lomjaria, listening to public criticism is an integral part of an official's obligation.

"If Salome Zourabichvili, as the President, or the Commander-in-Chief, is subjected to discrimination on the ground of gender or if statements are made against her that contain discrimination on the ground of gender or other grounds, the Public Defender will definitely respond to them. As for the fact that officials, in general, are subject to very harsh criticism and aggressive statements in this country, this is an integral part of our obligation. We have an obligation to listen and therefore, I think she may not like some assessments or criticism, but it is an integral part of a public official's obligation to listen with patience," Lomjaria said.

When asked if there were any signs of bullying against the President, Lomjaria said it was not her mandate to assess the above.

"It is not my mandate to assess whether any official is being bullied by the society or not. It absolutely does not fall under the mandate of the Public Defender. In many cases, wrong statements are made by officials, when they ask the Public Defender to protect them from public bullying,” said Nino Lomjaria.

The Administration of the President of Georgia released a statement addressing the Public Defender earlier today. According to the statement, the Public Defender never responds to the insulting statements made against the President, whereas she responds to the attacks on other female politicians.