On January 27, 2022, Nino Lomjaria, Public Defender of Georgia, met with Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, in Strasbourg.

The Public Defender reviewed the human rights situation of Georgia; emphasized the challenges facing independent democratic institutions, including the abolition of the State Inspector’s Office in the hastened and non-transparent manner, as well as attacks on the Public Defender of Georgia. The meeting also focused on the offences committed against journalists and their improper investigation.

The Public Defender thanked the Council of Europe for its support, stressed the importance of cooperation between the Public Defender’s Office and various institutions of the Council of Europe, which has been successful for years, and asked the Secretary General to put the issue of protection of human rights in the occupied regions of Georgia by the institutions of the Council of Europe on the political agenda.

Ms. Marija Pejčinović Burić reaffirmed her readiness to assist and support the Public Defender’s Office in its work in the direction of human rights.