Georgia’s Public Defender becomes International Ombudsman Institute member

The Public Defender of Georgia has become a voting member of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI).

This decision was made by IOI Board of Directors following an official request for membership by Georgia’s Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili.

The application included comprehensive information on the mandate, independence safeguards, structure and activities of Nanuashvili as his role as Georgia’s Ombudsman.

"Being an IOI member will greatly promote further strengthening of the powers of the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia and that in turn will ensure implementation of best practice at national level with respect to effective protection of human rights,” the Office said.

IOI was established in 1978 and represented the only global institute that uniteed around 155 Ombudsman organisations. IOI promoted exchange of information through organising various conferences, trainings and seminars on regional and international level, and also the establishment of effective public governance and strengthening of democratic state principles in its member countries.