On September 24, 25 and 26, 2025, in Brussels (Belgium), the Public Defender of Georgia, Levan Ioseliani, participated in the events organized by the European Network of Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI).

On September 24, a high-level meeting was held to discuss the role of national human rights institutions in the protection of fundamental rights, the rule of law and democracy in the EU enlargement process.

At the event, heads of national institutions from EU enlargement countries and beyond, representatives of EU institutions and other relevant actors discussed the EU’s core values ​​– fundamental human rights and the rule of law – as well as current challenges. They stressed the need for strong, independent institutions capable of protecting fundamental rights and strengthening checks and balances.

Panel discussions aimed to further explore the role of national human rights institutions in the EU enlargement process: raising awareness of the role of national human rights institutions and promoting strategic dialogue and enhanced partnership between representatives of national human rights institutions and EU decision-makers.

The National Human Rights Institutions Leadership Forum was dedicated to finding new ways to protect human rights in a changing (mostly hostile) environment. Attention was also focused on the challenges facing human rights institutions in recent times, common values ​​and missions.

Participants shared their country’s experiences and best practices during the sessions. Among other things, they discussed issues of accreditation of national human rights institutions, protection of institutions from political attacks, methods of combating gender-based violence in social media, and issues of combating and responding to other challenges and threats.

The forum also discussed the details of the implementation of the Network’s new strategic plan, mechanisms for integrating multiple mandates into the work of national human rights institutions, identifying priorities and evaluating working methods.