On February 21, the European network of human rights institutions (ENNHRI), together with human rights organizations, issued a statement in support of the public defender of Georgia, which was preceded by a violation of the confidentiality of the public defender's visits to prisons and attacks on the public defender's Office.

The statement is also joined by the Global Alliance of national human rights institutions, the international Ombudsman Institute, the European network of equality bodies and the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.

ENNHRI expressed concern about the actions of the Georgian authorities, which are related to the violation of the confidentiality of prison visits, and which, according to the statement, "contradict international standards" and "may negatively affect the ability of the public defender to effectively and independently carry out his mandate".

According to the statement, the Constitution of Georgia prohibits interference in the activities of the public defender. ENNHRI also noted that the Organic law on the public defender prohibits surveillance during a meeting between a representative of the public defender's Office and a prisoner.

ENNHRI refers to the UN Paris principles document, which gives national human rights institutions (in the case of Georgia, the public defender's Office) a mandate to present their own opinion on human rights violations.

The organizations Express concern that the actions of the Georgian authorities contain a risk that the environment conducive to the effective and independent work of the public defender may deteriorate. "In particular, the disclosure of confidential information put the security of employees of the public defender's Office at risk," ENNHRI notes. The statement said that " this violates regional and international standards that establish that national human rights institutions and their staff should not face any threat of retaliation or intimidation as a result of actions they carry out within their mandate."

The organizations call on the Georgian Parliament to adhere to international principles that require the protection of institutions, including the public defender's Office, from intimidation, threats and any actions of the authorities that may "negatively affect their independence and effectiveness". ENNHRI also calls on state institutions (the Prosecutor's Office, the state inspector's office) to conduct a quick and thorough investigation of the issues that have arisen.

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