Source description last updated: 14 May 2020

In brief: The Public Defender of Georgia is a constitutionally mandated Ombudsman office that oversees the observance of human rights and freedoms in Georgia.

Coverage on ecoi.net:

Selected reports

Covered monthly on ecoi.net for Georgia.

Mission/Mandate/Objectives:

“In the framework of its constitutional mandate, the Public Defender of Georgia supervises the protection of human rights and freedoms within its jurisdiction on the territory of Georgia, identifies the violations of human rights and contributes to the restoration of violated rights and freedoms.” (Public Defender of Georgia: Assessment of Gender Policy of Local Self-Government Bodies, 23 March 2020, p. 5)

“The Public Defender is independent in its activities. It does not belong to any branch of government.” It supervises state agencies, local self-government bodies, public institutions and public officials.

“In order to ensure the protection of human rights and freedoms, the Public Defender of Georgia”, amongst others, “[s]ubmits proposals, remarks and recommendations concerning the Georgian legislation and draft laws to the Parliament or other relevant bodies; [a]ddresses the state agencies, local self-government bodies, public institutions and public officials with proposals and recommendations concerning the restoration of the violated human rights and freedoms; [a]ddresses the relevant investigative authorities with proposals about the launch of an investigation and/or criminal prosecution” and “[a]ddresses the relevant agencies with proposals concerning the disciplinary or administrative responsibilities of the individuals, whose actions caused violations of human rights and freedoms […].”

The Public Defender “regularly checks the situation and treatment of the detainees, prisoners or individuals whose liberty had been otherwise restricted, convicts, as well as the inmates of psychiatric institutions, houses for older persons and orphanages.” (Public Defender of Georgia website: Mandate, undated)

Funding:

Amongst others, the Public Defender of Georgia receives support from the Council of Europe, the European Union, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Oxfam, the UN Association of Georgia (UNAG), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Women and USAID.

No further information could be found on the issue of funding.

Scope of reporting:

Geographic focus: Georgia

Thematic focus: Anti-discrimination; criminal justice; children’s rights; gender equality; rights of persons with disabilities; civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights

Methodology:

Reports may be based on surveys of relevant institutions (see, for example, Public Defender of Georgia: Assessment of Gender Policy of Local Self-Government Bodies, 23 March 2020, p. 5), desk-based research, as well as visits to relevant sites (see, for example, Public Defender of Georgia: Protection of Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Psychiatric and State Care Institutions, 11 May 2020, pp. 5–6 and Public Defender of Georgia: Assessment of Gender Policy of Local Self-Government Bodies, 23 March 2020, p. 5) where information may be gathered through in-depth interview and on-the-spot examination of the situation and relevant documentation. In addition, focus group meetings with representatives of relevant organisations may be held. (see, for example, Public Defender of Georgia: Protection of Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Psychiatric and State Care Institutions, 11 May 2020, pp. 5–7)

Languages of publication:

English and Georgian

 

All links accessed 14 May 2020.