On September 18, 2018 Public Defender of Georgia attended the presentation of the recommendations of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities on access to justice and ethnic minorities (Graz Recommendations) and delivered speech during the event.

“Study and protection of rights of ethnic minorities have been priorities of the Office of the Public Defender of Georgia for several years. Representatives and organizations working on ethnic minorities address our office regularly; Council of ethnic minorities under the umbrella of the Public Defender of Georgia, joining more than one-hundred organizations, constitutes a bridge, a sort of a platform for sharing information and consultations between the Public Defender and ethnic minorities” – stated Nino Lomjaria.

With the assistance of contact persons and partner organizations, Office of the Public Defender of Georgia tries to increase awareness of the Office in occupied territories, studies human rights situation there and within positive obligations, issues recommendations to relevant bodies.

Public Defender underlined that it is impossible to develop a country in full if part of its population, even the smallest group, has a feeling of being excluded.

On September 17, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and members of his delegation met with the employees of the Tolerance Center and representatives of the Council of Ethnic Minorities under the umbrella of the Public Defender and received information regarding the integration and protection of human rights of ethnic minorities in Georgia.