On December 11, 2017, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria spoke about the human rights situation in the country and the importance of the UN Declaration of Human Rights at the event dedicated to the Human Rights Day in the Parliament of Georgia.

"70 years have passed since the mankind recognized that everybody is born free and equal, torture and degrading treatment is inadmissible. During the history of independent Georgia, a number of positive changes have been carried out to improve the national legislation and bring it closer to international standards. Over the past 10 years, public attitudes and opinions have changed and the number of people, who think that their rights are fully or partially protected, has increased. Trust in human rights institutions has increased as well, but human rights are not a condition that can be achieved, it constantly needs surveillance, development and introduction of new standards.

Today society expects a lot from us in terms of protection of labour rights. Many people have died and injured this year due to absence of safe labour conditions, which clearly showed the need for taking effective steps by the state.

In addition, it is important everyone to have a feeling that his/her privacy is protected.

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights obliges States to create equal opportunities for personal development in order to ensure that each person has equal access to all benefits.

The Public Defender has a significant role in implementing the anti-discrimination law; however, unequal approach to vulnerable groups remains a challenge. We should not allow some people to be more or less equal than others. We must work devotedly to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, socially vulnerable groups, persons with mental health problems, IDPs, political, ethnic, religious and gender minorities.

In parallel with economic development, attention should be paid to the protection of person’s right to live and work in a healthy environment.

The rights and freedoms recognized by the Declaration of Human Rights serve as basis for the Constitution of Georgia, protection of which is supervised by the Public Defender. I would like to say with pride that trust in this institution is very high, for which I thank all my predecessors.

I would like to highlight the role of local and international organizations, as well as the media, in terms of protecting human rights and conducting information campaigns and I wish all state agencies to ensure that human rights are the priority at all stages of their work. "

At the end of her speech, Nino Lomjaria expressed hope that she and her staff will be able to live up to the expectations of those who are in need of protection by the Public Defender.