Speaking to reporters about the selection of the new public defender at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Robakidze University and Texas A and M University on August 31, US Ambassador Kelly Degnan emphasized that “now is the time to have as many relevant voices as possible to involve as much as possible, not to have a closed and exclusive process.”
Ambassador Degnan pointed out that the selection of the public defender is “extremely important” and a “huge opportunity for Parliament to have a very inclusive process”.
The ambassador stressed that the selection of the current public defender, Nino Lomjaria, “was highly appreciated by international authorities that regulate the selection of public defenders”.
“Indeed, Georgia received a high rank in the last public defender selection because the process was inclusive. It included NGOs. It involved a lot of voices,” she said.
Amb Degnan noted that if Georgia wants to retain the rank it has received from the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, it must follow the principles of international best practice, the Paris Principles and the Council of Europe recommendations on the subject have to follow.
The US ambassador stressed that “Georgia needs to follow many guidelines in order to do this well and develop a public defender who will truly be a consensus candidate recognized by all stakeholders.”
“Remember that the main task of the public defender is to defend the human rights of all Georgian citizens,” she urged. “It’s an extremely important job and it has to be someone who is impartial, qualified and accepted by all, not just one party.”
Urgent Venice Commission Opinion on Surveillance Law
Amb Degnan also addressed those of the Venice Commission Urgent Opinion on the controversial surveillance law passed by the Georgian Dream Parliament on June 7 and subsequently appeal filed by President Salome Zurabishvili. In its statement, the Venice Commission criticized the passage of the law in a “hasty process” and called on the authorities to reconsider the legislation.
The ambassador stressed that the Commission’s opinion was an “opportunity” and that it was “strong and clear that a more inclusive approach is important”.
She noted that the commission found that the need for the changes, which would significantly expand the allowable grounds for wiretapping Georgians, was not adequately justified or explained.
Amb Degnan stressed that the Opinion and the Amendments are of particular importance even in light of the massive leaks of illegal wiretapping and surveillance of church officials, diplomats, journalists and politicians that became known in September 2021.
In line with this, the ambassador said: “…the idea of an inclusive parliamentary process, where all voices have an opportunity to express themselves and develop a better law, is so important.” “This is not a criticism of Georgia,” she stressed .
“The Venice Commission’s statements and other examples like this are an opportunity to help Georgia improve its legislation to ensure that there are legal guarantees to prevent abuse of civil rights…” the Ambassador concluded.
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