Foreign dignitaries express concern over proposed replacement of State Inspector's Service
The ruling party maintains that the proposed changes will strengthen both the investigative and the personal data protection mechanisms in the country. Photo: State Inspector's Service
Tweet 
Share
Foreign dignitaries have expressed their concern over a bill proposed by ruling Georgian Dream party MPs to replace the State Inspector's Service with a Special Investigation Service and Personal Data Protection Service.
Georgian majority MPs put forward a bill proposing to split the State Inspector's Service into two new agencies – a Special Investigation Service and Personal Data Protection Service, which will be authorised to investigate offences committed by authorities and to monitor personal data processing, respectively.
Ambassador of France to Georgia Diego Colas called for 'wide consultations' regarding the ongoing reform.
I share the concerns about the ongoing reform of ????????State Inspector @DPAofGeorgia. When dealing with key democratic checks + balances, we call for reforms to take place carefully, with wide consultations, with appropriate transitions, avoiding chilling effect on incumbents.
— Diégo Colas (@ColasDiego) December 28, 2021
Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia Ulrik Tidestrom pointed out that the State Inspector's Service serves an 'important role' for democracy and human rights.
Concerned about rushed initiative to dissolve current State Inspector’s Service which has important role for democracy and human rights. Major changes to key institutions require transparent process with broad consultations and debate. A lot at stake here. https://t.co/lx5tLCeqKO
— Ulrik Tideström ???????? (@UTidestrom) December 29, 2021
Ambassador of Norway to Georgia and Armenia Helene Sand Andresen requested the Georgian Parliament to take an 'inclusive and considered' approach while making the decision.
Worried about rushed process to split State Inspector’s Service, dismiss all employees. Request @Geoparliament take inclusive & considered approach. @DPAofGeorgia should be enabled & empowered to fill its role as independent #HumanRights institution - an asset for ???????? democracy.
— Helene Sand Andresen (@SandAndresen) December 28, 2021
Ambassador of the Netherlands to Georgia Maaike van Koldam called for an 'open and transparent' process.
Concerned about initiative towards dissolving State Inspector's Office ????????, important #HumanRights institution, in a rushed manner leading to dismissal of all staff. Open & transparent process needed, broad consultation incl with @DPAofGeorgia itself. Trust & independence are key.
— Maaike van Koldam (@MaaikevanKoldam) December 28, 2021
Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Georgia Petr Mikyska noted that the proposal is 'worrisome.'
We EU MS Ambassadors and CDAs had meeting w/ L. Toloraia yesterday. Circumstances of planned abolition of State Inspector´s Service, dismissal of all employees and timing of this rushed action are worrisome, not helping to checks and balances system working properly.
— Petr Mikyska (@mikyska_petr) December 29, 2021
Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Tbilisi Clare Allbless expressed her hope that 'any decision' will be afforded with the necessary time and care.
Very worrying news regarding the sudden proposal to dismantle the State Inspector’s Service @DPAofGeorgia. I hope any decision will be afforded the time, care and openness it requires, involving all relevant stakeholders. #independentinstitutions #HumanRights
— Clare Allbless (@ClareAllbless) December 29, 2021
Georgian Dream (GD) party MP Mamuka Mdinaradze explained earlier that the GD proposed splitting the State Inspector’s Service into two agencies because the investigative and personal data protection functions are ‘not compatible with each other.’
GD maintains that the proposed changes will strengthen both the investigative and the personal data protection mechanisms in the country.