Public Defender Meets with Representatives of European Parliament and European Commission
On October 11-12, 2017, in Brussels, the Public Defender of Georgia, Ucha Nanuashvili, met with the representatives of the European Parliament and the European Commission - Kati Kiry, member of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, SajjadKarim, Chairman of the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association, Cristian Dan Preda, Vice Chairperson of the European Parliament’s Committee on Human Rights, and Mathew Buske, Head of the Eastern Partnership - European NeighbourhoodPolicy Division. He also attended the meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Human Rights, the topic of which was the situation of human rights in the world in 2016 and challenges in this field.
The Public Defender of Georgia discussed the situation of human rights of Georgia. He underlined the positive processes following the adoption of the anti-discrimination law, improvement of the situation in the penitentiary system and successful implementation of the juvenile justice reform. He emphasized the shortcomings in the judiciary, the ongoing constitutional reform and the human rights situation in the occupied territories.
Ucha Nanuashvili also talked about the need for the establishment of an independent investigative mechanism in order to eliminate shortcomings in proper investigation of alleged cases of ill-treatment and abuse of power by law enforcers. The Public Defender reviewed the cases of death and injuries in the workplace and the necessity to create labour inspection mechanism, as well as the media environment in the country and the case of Azeri journalist Afgan Mukhtarli.
Within the framework of the visit, the Public Defender and his representatives took part in the conference and workshop dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the European Network of Equality Bodies. The Public Defender of Georgia, as a body responsible for the implementation of the anti-discrimination law in the country, is a member of the European Network as an observer. However, according to the decision made in Brussels on October 11, equality bodies of non-EU member states, Eastern Partnership countries, will enjoy full membership of the network. It is noteworthy that the Public Defender of Georgia has contributed to the decision. These changes will pave the way for the Georgian Public Defender's accession to the European network.
