Public Defender Nino Lomjaria states that the situation in terms of human rights protection is worse today than it was in 2017, when she was appointed to the position of Ombudsman. The Public Defender told PalitraNews TV about it.

According to Lomjaria, today the acceptance of criticism from the government is at a very low level.

The Ombudsman summarized the results of her 5-year work as a Public Defender and noted that she is leaving a strengthened institution, mandate and increased trust to the future Public Defender.

"I think that we have raised the standards of expectations for the Public Defender. I am leaving a legacy for the future Ombudsman, the Public Defender's institute in Georgia is recognized by all international institutions and international partners as an independent and professional state institution. This applies both to the European Union, which in its resolutions and evaluations emphasized the special role of the Public Defender and its professionalism, and also to the USA, which signed a unique partnership with the Office of the Public Defender this year.

We are very highly represented in almost all international networks. We have high recognition and trust in the international arena. Studies also confirm that among the state agencies in Georgia, we are the institution that enjoys the highest trust, while such institutions as the Parliament, court, Prosecutor's Office, etc., lag behind us in this ranking.

We leave a strengthened institution to the next Ombudsman. The future Public Defender will have his/her own building. We leave increased trust to the future Public Defender. We leave proper communication channels with people. Enhanced office and mandate.

From the point of view of protection of human rights, I probably leave a worse situation. Today, the situation is worse than when I became the Public Defender of Georgia. Today, the acceptance of criticism from the government is at a very low level. This applies to the Parliament, the majority, government representatives. There is less willingness to implement democratic reforms. 5 years ago, more initiatives were being prepared in the Parliament, including in terms of strengthening the mandate of the Public Defender. Parliament was more prepared to show readiness to implement recommendations. More discussions were held in a parliamentary format. Today, the acceptance of recommendations from the Government and Parliament is much lower. This has a very bad effect on the effectiveness of the Public Defender, because the Public Defender is not an executive in terms of human rights protection," said Lomjaria.

According to the Ombudsman, it is important to choose a candidate who will have the maximum support around him/her. According to her, it will be very difficult for the future Public Defender to work if there is no widespread trust in him/her.

"Domestic institutions such as the court, general courts, the constitutional court cannot perform their duties effectively. The investigative system, the Prosecutor's Office, when it comes to politically important cases, cannot appear as politically neutral and effective investigative institutions. State institutions are not up to the task, properly independent. There are attacks on media representatives, international partners who promote democratic processes, so the space for democratic development and protection of people's rights is very narrow. This will be a challenge for the future Public Defender. Therefore, it is important to choose a candidate who will have maximum support around him/her. It will be very difficult for him/her to work if there is no widespread trust in him/her," said Lomjaria.