Public Defender Nino Lomjaria has invited UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment David Boyd to Georgia. In the letter of invitation, the Public Defender asks the Special Rapporteur to assess the impact of the construction of hydropower plants on environmental, ecological and socio-economic interests and human rights in the country.

The letter refers to the shortcomings in the decisions and regulations relating to the construction of hydropower plants, which in practice jeopardize citizens' right to live in a healthy and safe environment.

The negative consequences of the construction of hydropower plants is the severe interference with the ecosystem and negative impact on the environment. The Public Defender's Office has been actively overseeing the construction of hydropower plants in the country in recent years, as an area closely linked to the realization of the right to live in a healthy and safe environment.

The Special Rapporteur's visits to the country are an important international mechanism, within which the Rapporteur studies the country’s institutional, legal, judicial and administrative regulations, assesses the human rights situation and makes recommendations based on the visit, which are then published as public reports.

The Public Defender hopes that the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur and the recommendations prepared by him will be important for the resolution of discussions ongoing around the construction of hydropower plants in the country for the last 10 years and will help the State ensure rational use of energy resources and protection of legitimate public interests of environmental protection, socio-economic needs and the right to live in a safe environment.