**Georgian Public Defender Faces Backlash Over Human Rights Report**
In a tense parliamentary session on June 10, Georgian Public Defender Levan Ioseliani faced criticism from ruling party lawmakers over his report on human rights and freedoms in the country. The ombudsman’s document highlighted various abuses, including police violence and impunity, as well as the worsening of media freedom and journalists’ rights.
Ioseliani presented the 390-page report, which drew attention to the major issues of Georgia’s past turbulent year. This included two major protest waves, in which authorities responded with force and repression. However, Georgian Dream MPs were unhappy with many of the findings, bombarding Ioseliani with questions and criticism.
The public defender was particularly criticized for not discussing “positive trends” and for allegedly ignoring abuses towards police officers and state or ruling party officials. Lawmakers repeatedly brought up the case of GD MP Mariam Lashkhi and the May 17 café incident, in which two female student activists were administratively detained after chanting protest phrases.
**Criticism from Ruling Party**
GD lawmakers accused Ioseliani of being biased and not defending their rights as public officials. They also questioned whether his staff was still influenced by his predecessor, Nino Lomjaria, who had been criticized for her handling of the public defender’s office.
Tsulukiani, a GD MP and head of a controversial commission investigating alleged crimes of United National Movement rule, told Ioseliani: “You are ashamed to defend us. Property rights have been violated against lawmakers, their family members… but you are ashamed to talk about it.”
**Ioseliani’s Response**
The ombudsman responded by saying that his mandate involves defending human rights from the state, rather than the state itself. He pointed out that there were “countless examples” of police violence and impunity against journalists, which had been documented in the report.
Ioseliani also noted that no police officer has been held accountable for the abuses, saying: “Justice cannot be one-sided.” When asked about the legacy of Lomjaria, Ioseliani said he was a professional who should not be judged based on his predecessor’s tenure.
**Relevance and Analysis**
The criticism faced by Ioseliani highlights the ongoing tensions between the public defender’s office and the ruling party. The report’s findings are a reflection of the country’s human rights situation, which has been a concern for many observers.
In recent months, Georgia has seen increased repression against critics and journalists, with several activists fined or detained on charges related to social media posts or protest phrases. The public defender’s office has played a crucial role in documenting these abuses and advocating for justice.
As the country approaches its 2025 parliamentary elections, the human rights situation is likely to remain a contentious issue. The criticism faced by Ioseliani serves as a reminder of the challenges facing independent institutions and the importance of protecting human rights in Georgia.
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