On February 24, 2020, Nino Lomjaria, Public Defender of Georgia, met with Anders Knape, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Andreas Kiefer, Secretary General of the Congress, Tamar Taliashvili, member of the Tbilisi City Assembly and Vice President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG), and Christian Urse, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Georgia.

Nino Lomjaria briefed the guests on the mandate of the Public Defender, the situation of equality in the regions of the country and the issues of cooperation with local self-governments in the fight against discrimination and awareness-raising. Other topics of discussion were socio-economic rights, the right to live in a healthy environment and active involvement of the Public Defender with the municipalities in this direction. The importance of Public Defender’s efforts in raising civil society’s awareness of human rights was highlighted.

Anders Knape, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, emphasized the special role of the Public Defender in promoting democracy and improving human rights situation in the country.

Members of the Congress showed interest in the human rights situation in the occupied territories and the involvement of the Public Defender in this direction. The upcoming parliamentary elections and future cooperation were also the subjects of discussion.

The meeting with the Public Defender was also attended by Eleonore Park-Edstrom, personal Adviser to the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Sabine Zimmer, Head of the Office of the Congress, and Tataiana Bokuchava, Secretary of the Delegation.