On June 21, 2017, First Deputy Public Defender Natia Katsitadze delivered a public lecture together with UNHCR Regional Representative in the South Caucasus, Johannes van der Klaauw, where they discussed the current situation of refugees in the country and the Public Defender's activities in this direction.

The purpose of the public event was to raise public awareness and provide information about millions of displaced persons, including refugees.

The First Deputy Public Defender spoke about the growing number of asylum-seekers due to human rights violations and conflicts in the world, the deficiencies detected as a result of monitoring and reflected in the Public Defender’s report, international and internal mechanisms for the protection of the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. She emphasized the importance of cooperation between the Public Defender and the UN Refugee Agency.

At the end of the lecture, Natia Katsitadze and Johannes van der Klaauw answered students’ questions.

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June 20 is the World Refugee Day, which has been celebrated since the adoption of the Resolution N55/76 by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2000. Celebration of the day is aimed at raising awareness with regard to the displaced persons.

One of the priorities of the Public Defender's Office is to study the rights situation of asylum seekers, refuges and persons with humanitarian status. The Public Defender's Office closely cooperates with the UN Refugee Agency in this process.