The Public Defender has published the November information bulletin. The document traditionally reflects the local and international events in the field of human rights. An important event in November was activation of Public Defender's hotline – 1481, which will receive information from citizens round the clock about alleged violation of human rights and freedoms, including torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, committed by the state (public) institutions.

In November another regional office was opened in Ozurgeti for strengthening the regional activities of the Public Defender’s Office. The Public Defender already has 8 regional offices, which means that the Office establishes relations with citizens throughout the country, receives information from them about alleged violations of human rights, and prepares proposals and recommendations for relevant state agencies. The Public Defender's Office is also actively involved in the preparation of legislative changes.

The bulletin offers information about the Public Defender's two special reports. The report on the Right to Education in the Gali District: New Developments and Challenges of Academic Year of 2015-2016 provides a detailed account of the facts of violation of the right to get education in the native language and restrictions on the access to education in the Gali district. The second report was prepared by the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) on the requests/complaints procedures in the penitentiary system. It is noteworthy that this kind of survey was conducted for the first time in Georgia.

The bulletin also provides information about the Public Defender's international visits and meetings, the monitoring and survey reports, as well as responses of the Public Defender's Office to the needs of the regional population.

The November bulletin, like the editions of the previous months, is full of diverse and interesting information.

Please see an electronic version of the Bulletin