Georgian rights defenders call on the new Ombudsperson to remain neutral

Nino Lomdjariya, the new Georgian Ombudsperson, will have to work in the conditions of political tension; she needs to remain neutral and not get under the influence of the ruling party, Georgian rights defenders believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 30, most of Georgian MPs voted for appointing Nino Lomdjariya to the post of the Ombudsperson. Ms Lomdjariya was one of the four nominees suggested by NGO activists.

Manana Nachkhebiya, a member of the "New Right-Wingers" Party, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that she treats Nino Lomdjariya "as one of the best rights defenders in Georgia."

"Regarding the challenges that the Ombudsperson's office will face, I believe that Nino Lomdjariya needs to preserve independence and trust of the society; after all, the Ombudsperson is appointed by the parliamentary majority; and sometimes, Georgian Ombudspersons refrain from criticizing the authorities and stick to the position not coinciding with the authorities' one," Ms Nachkhebiya has stated, adding, "I'd like Nino Lomdjariya to be an impregnable, principled and fair Ombudsperson."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.