On 21 May 2019, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria and the Deputies of the Public Defender met with local civil society representatives in the Telavi Center for Civic Engagement and received information about the human rights issues in the Kakheti region.

Representatives of non-governmental organizations and civic activists named the low involvement of citizens in local self-government bodies as one of the main problems. It was noted at the meeting that citizens are not involved in the discussion of important issues, such as budget planning or development of social security programnes, or relevant decision-making process.

The issues of early marriage and domestic violence, including the lack of resources of social services and the response to the cases of domestic violence by relevant agencies, were also discussed at the meeting. Participants of the meeting focused on child labour, when 8-10-year-old children are involved in hard labour that is inappropriate for their age and physical abilities and often hampers their general education. The lack of programmes for persons with disabilities and the rights of persons affected by cooperative house construction were also dsicussed at the meeting.

The Public Defender also showed interest in the recent events developed in the Pankisi Gorge. It was noted that among other issues, the issue of construction of a public center remains unresolved, which is the only place for the population to gather, and needs allocation of financces.

.