On May 30-31, 2022, Nino Lomjaria, Public Defender of Georgia, held a bilateral working meeting in Tallinn at the invitation of the Estonian Ombudsman. Tamar Gvaramadze and Giorgi Burjanadze, Deputies of the Public Defender of Georgia, and Ketevan Sokhadze, Acting Head of the Department of the Rights of the Child, also took part in the meeting.

The parties discussed opportunities for strengthening cooperation between the two institutions, mandates, activities and ongoing important issues. The Georgian delegation received information about the constitutional proceedings of the Estonian Ombudsman and the work in the field of justice. Emphasis was placed on the importance and functioning of state programmes and services for the protection and support of children, including victims of violence.

Best practices of assistance to Ukrainian refugees, well-being of children, protection and promotion of their rights, as well as support services for children in general and those who have experienced violence, were discussed at the meeting. For the purpose of receiving information about the situation of the protection of the rights of children, including refugees from Ukraine, the Public Defender of Georgia held meetings in the Social Insurance Council, Barnahus (orphanage) and Border Police.

Future cooperation between the Offices of the Ombudsman of Estonia and the Public Defender of Georgia, activities and priorities of the institutions were also discussed during the bilateral meetings.