Certain high officials of Georgia have recently made a number of statements aimed at discrediting the leaders of non-governmental organizations working in the most important areas for the democratic development of Georgia, such as monitoring of elections and performance of state institutions, prevention of corruption and protection of human rights.

The Public Defender of Georgia reminds the authorities of the international obligations imposed by the United Nations, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and other international organizations on states to promote the activities of human rights defenders.

The United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders adopted in 1998 recognizes the right of everyone, individually and in association with others, to submit to governmental bodies and agencies criticism regarding the issues that may hinder realization of human rights and to protest against any such state policy. The Declaration obliges states to ensure the protection of individuals against any pressure, retaliation and discrimination as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the Declaration.

According to the OSCE Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, states and officials have an obligation to refrain from any acts aimed at defamation and insulting campaigns, discredit and personal attacks against human rights defenders and their activities. The OSCE calls on representatives of state institutions not to exert any pressure on human rights defenders but to take proactive steps against their stigmatization and to recognize the importance of human rights organizations and human rights defenders for a democratic state and therefore, to enhance their legitimacy.

Despite the above-mentioned obligations, representatives of the Georgian authorities compared the NGO's activities in Georgia to fascist organizations; active and organized campaign was conducted in the social media and open indications were made at their alleged links with offences. The Public Defender of Georgia considers that such an attitude is inadmissible and threatens the process of democratic development in Georgia.

The Public Defender of Georgia expresses her support to all the organizations, which have been devotedly working for years to establish high standards of human rights in Georgia and calls on the Government to be guided by the internationally recognized democratic standards.

It should be noted that the Public Defender is participating in an international conference in Athens, Greece, on October 23-25. The theme of the conference is directly related to the relations between NGOs and governments. In her speech, the Public Defender will focus on the challenges faced by the NGO sector in Georgia and will discuss the role of ombudperson’s institution in supporting and strengthening their activities.