On June 11, 2021, Nino Lomjaria, Public Defender of Georgia, met with Anna Chernyshova, acting Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and discussed the recent developments in the field of human rights in the country.

The UNDP Resident Representative expressed her support to the Public Defender and stressed the need for effective and smooth work of national human rights institutions for achieving Georgia's national priorities and fulfilling the country’s international obligations.

"The truth that the Public Defender is saying is not easy to accept or implement. However, it should also be noted that questioning the Public Defender’s functions and duties undermines and limits democracy in the country," said Anna Chernyshova. She called on the Government, the media, international and civil society organizations to support the Public Defender in carrying out her duties. Inter alia, according to her, the Public Defender should be let in the Ninotsminda Orphanage immediately. "The United Nations continues to support the Public Defender in all matters."

Nino Lomjaria thanked the UNDP Georgia Office and UN agencies for issuing a joint statement in support of the Public Defender, publicly calling on the Georgian authorities to allow the Public Defender to monitor the Ninotsminda Orphanage.

The Public Defender of Georgia, as a National Preventive Mechanism, has a mandate to enter all types of closed institutions not only in accordance with Georgian law, but also the UN Convention and other international commitments.

"I would like to thank the leadership of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), who reaffirmed their respect and support for the Public Defender’s Office today," the Public Defender said after the meeting.

Cooperation between the Public Defender and UNDP in various areas of the protection of human rights, including the rights of vulnerable population and groups, was also the topic of conversation at the meeting.

See the full text of the statement in English