Public defender of Georgia


The public defender of Georgia, an ombudsman, is an institution that oversees the observance of human rights and freedoms in the country of Georgia. It advises the government on human rights issues, and analyses the nation's laws, policies, and practices, in compliance with the international standards, and provides relevant recommendations.
WWW ombudsman.ge

Creation and rules

The public defender of Georgia is elected for a term of six years, for no more than one consecutive term, by a majority of at least 3/5 of the total number of the members of the Parliament of Georgia. The office was established in accordance with the 1996 Organic Law on the Public Defender of Georgia. Any obstruction of the activities of the public defender is punishable by law. The Constitution of Georgia grants some immunity to the public defender; they can be arrested only with the consent of Parliament, except if caught red-handed at a crime scene.

2000s

The public defender of Georgia took action against torture, which used to be widespread in Georgia's police stations, leading to a dramatic reduction in its occurrence in the mid-2000s. Aspects of its program that were deemed effective in reducing torture included accepting anonymous complaints and making frequent surprise visits to places of detention.

List of public defenders of Georgia