Ombudsperson releases annual report, a special report on June protests

Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria has released her annual report for human rights in 2019, as well as a special report on the June protests in Tbilisi in which she said that the former head of Special Tasks Department of Interior Ministry should be held accountable for abuse of authority. 

Lomjaria said in the report that the investigation must continue into the Temirlan Machalikashvili case and pointed at incomplete investigations into the Khorava street murder case and the death case of school director Ia Kerzaia.

She said that improper treatment by law enforcers remains a challenge in the country, with the Public Defender’s office registering 128 complaints last year. The report reads that 54 of the 128 complaints concerned the possible abuse of inmates, while the remaining 54 cases by alleged abuse of authority by police officers. 

The ombudsperson stated that one of the major levers to effectively fight against the abuse of prisoners is the fight against the informal running of prisons (by criminal bosses and their associates),” the report said. 

The report says that investigation into Machalikashvili case should continue. Photo: RFE/RL.

The report said that the Interior Ministry has not fully met the ombudsperson’s recommendation on permanent use arm cameras. 

Speaking about psychiatric institutions, Lomjaria said that 10 large psychiatric facilities in the country do not meet mandatory standards and fail to ensure conditions for patients. 

Lomjaria said that the investigation into the June 2019 events is focused on uncovering the guilt of individual law enforcers and not those who were responsible for their actions. 

She said that the former head of the Special Tasks Department must be held accountable for abuse of authority during the June 19 rally dispersal, ‘as he did not react to disproportional use of force (rubber bullets) by his employees.’ 

The special report released in this regard by the Public Defender also said that allegedly there was no demand by then Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia to use the rubber bullets for the rally dispersal. 

The report says that that law enforcers allegedly did not have a demand from top officials to use rubber bullets to disperse rally on June 19. 

In terms of the freedom of expression the annual report mentioned the developments around Adjara TV and Radio, raising doubts that the government attempted to make an influence on the editorial policy of the media outlet. 

The report said that the proper protection of women’ rights and LGBT groups, as well as of the organisations protecting their rights, still remains a problem.  

The report criticised the process and the election of the Supreme Court judges, speaking about ‘non-transparent and obscure criteria and procedures.’ 

The report praised the steps taken for the protection of labour rights. However, it said that the body responsible for enforcement of the new regulations lacks resources. 

49 people died and 140 others received injuries at the workplace last year,” said the report.

Lomjaria urged the government to make new laws and take measures against environmental pollution and provide further support for children and elderly population.