Georgian Government appoints new Special Adviser

The Government of Georgia has selected a new Special Adviser on Human Rights and Rule of Law.

Michael O’Boyle was appointed to the role following an invitation from the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili and a recommendation from the Council of Europe’s Secretary General, the Government’s press office said.

O’Boyle, originally from Ireland, arrived in Georgia yesterday on his first visit in his new role. Today he met with Prime Minister Garibashvili. The sides discussed current and planned institutional reforms in Georgia, as well as prospects of cooperation and future plans.

"The aim of the meeting with the Prime Minister was to define the exact scope of my mandate. As you know, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe asked me to become the Georgian Government’s Special Adviser on Human Rights and Rule of Law. This is a very important mandate,” O’Boyle said.

"I’ve had a meeting with representatives of various agencies. Issues that we will work on are the rule of law, judicial reform and prosecution reform, and the reform of the Interior Ministry may also be included under my mandate,” he noted.

The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister’s Adviser in Human Rights and Gender Equality Issues Sopho Japaridze.

Later, O’Boyle is due to meet Georgia's Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili, Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani, Supreme Court chairperson Nino Gvenetadze and Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili. Meetings between O’Boyle and envoys of the European Union in Georgia and representatives of Georgia’s non-governmental sector are also scheduled.

During his career O’Boyle has gained extensive experience working at the European Court of Human Rights (1990-2015) in the position of Deputy Registrar of the Court.

Earlier in his life he spent four years (1973-77) teaching public law at Queen’s University Belfast in the United Kingdom. He is also the author of several articles and co-author of a number of publications.

Meanwhile July 8 Queen’s University Belfast planned to grant O’Boyle with an honorary doctorate for distinction in public service.