The Public Defender’s Office, with the support of the USAID Rule of Law Program, hosted an event where the Public Defender of Georgia Nino Lomjaria spoke about human rights challenges in the country and the role of the Public Defender in the path of European integration.

The event gathered 214 participants representing the executive and legislative branches of Georgia, diplomatic missions, local and international organizations, and media.

"The main value that drives this Office is building an independent, democratic and strong Georgia. Each of our actions is directed towards eliminating human rights violations and enabling equal opportunities for everyone. I am proud that the Public Defender’s Office fulfilled the role assigned to it with regard to Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration. I do hope that the next Ombudsperson, my successor, will continue on this path because every person in Georgia needs a Public Defender, regardless of his/her position or legal status," said Public Defender of Georgia Nino Lomjaria during her welcoming speech at the opening of the event.

United States Ambassador to Georgia Kelly C. Degnan, Head of the European Union Delegation in Georgia Pawel Herczynski, Permanent Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Georgia Sabine Makhl, and Head of the Council of Europe Office in Georgia Natalia Voutova spoke about the constitutional duties of the Public Defender and its Office, as well as the great importance of its daily activities. They thanked Ms. Lomjaria for her dedicated work for the last five years and emphasized the high qualifications of the employees of the Office.

“The Public Defender’s Office has been a long-time partner of the United States, because of its status as an independent institution providing oversight of fundamental rights. The fabulous team at the Public Defender’s Office works every day to ensure that every citizen of Georgia can enjoy their rights, religious freedom, gender equality, and respect for ethnic and religious diversity.” – said United States Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan. 

In Ms. Lomjaria’s speech “Human Rights Challenges, Achievements and Future Opportunities on the Path of European integration,” the Public Defender presented the Office’s five-year activity report, which set out the results achieved in the direction of human rights protection and future recommendations.

The participants also had the opportunity to watch a video that summarized the Public Defender’s Office’s achievements over the past five years. In the video, the Public Defender and the Deputy Public Defenders also talked about human rights directions, main challenges, achievements, public attitudes towards the institution, and the role and importance of the apparatus. The video was made possible with the support of the USAID Rule of Law Program.