Public Defender Responds to Renewed Mediation Process between Political Parties
Pursuant to Article 78 of the Constitution of Georgia, the Public Defender of Georgia, as a constitutional body, shall take all measures to ensure Georgia's full integration into the European Union. Based on the above, the Public Defender welcomes the decision of European Council President Charles Michel to continue the mediation process initiated by him in Georgia, the successful completion of which will bring the country closer to the above-mentioned goal.
It is important to note that the issues raised by the President of the European Council in the negotiation process are fully in line with the systemic challenges indicated by the Public Defender of Georgia and international human rights mechanisms for years. Along with fair public protest, there have been a number of evidence-based recommendations and reports of the Public Defender relating to the independence of the judiciary and the need for institutional reforms, political justice, free election environment, changes in the electoral system.
No systemic human rights guarantees can be created and no changes can be implemented in the country under the conditions of political destabilization and complete polarization. At the same time, parliamentary oversight of the protection of human rights is extremely difficult without the critical voice of the opposition in the country's main legislative body. That is why the Public Defender believes that negotiations should be conducted first and foremost on the possible legal ways for fairly resolving the cases containing substantial judicial shortcomings, as well as for institutional reforms, distribution of power and control and balance systems. To achieve the above, all parties involved in the negotiations must show political willingness and resources to compromise.
The Public Defender of Georgia expresses her readiness to meet with the parties involved in the negotiations, to inform them of her position and to be involved in all necessary processes, which may bring crucial changes in terms of protection and promotion of human rights in Georgia.
