The USAID Rule of Law Program expert Jaroslaw Gwizdak met with human rights and constitutional law experts to discuss the judicial mandate of the Public Defender’s Office (PDO) and how to develop it to oversee and monitor the realization of the right to a fair trial. 

USAID Rule of Law Program Deputy Chief of Party Neil Weinstein and Deputy Public Defender Giorgi Burjanadze welcomed the 22 participants of the meeting.

“The Public Defender’s Office is among the major partners of the USAID Rule of Law Program. We are pleased to work with the PDO’s wonderful team and support its departments to improve access to justice through strategic litigation, strengthen the PDO’s equality mechanism in the fight against discrimination, and strengthen children's rights, disability rights, and minority rights.” said Neil Weinstein in his welcome remarks. 

While introducing the existing practice of the monitoring of judicial bodies, Deputy Public Defender Giorgi Burjanadze shared what PDO has done to guarantee the protection of human rights and the right to a fair trial. He also emphasized the importance of having a proper mechanism and responsible unit at the PDO that will be focused on court monitoring. 

The Rule of Law Program’s Polish expert, Jaroslaw Gwizdak, made a presentation on topics such as the rule of law in the EU, the purpose of the court monitoring, the connection between court monitoring and the rule of law, “everyday justice” vs. high-profile cases, and how court monitoring can result in a people-centered justice approach.

The discussion touched upon the institutional setting of the PDO and its role in monitoring the judicial system, as well as the overall purpose and outcome of the monitoring. The participants shared their opinions and possible approaches to strengthening the judicial mandate of the PDO. 

The USAID Rule of Law Program’s long-term international expert Jaroslaw Gwizdak arrived in Georgia on July 15, 2022. His primary mission is to advise the PDO in developing its mandate to oversee and monitor the realization of right to a fair trial, which also includes working on institutional court matters.