37 employees of the Public Defender's Office of Georgia have issued a joint statement criticizing Levan Ioseliani for attending the first session of the 11th Convocation of Parliament. The statement asserts that Ioseliani's actions undermine the Public Defender's work as an independent constitutional body and erode public trust in the institution.
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The signatories of the statement assert that on November 25, the ruling party, Georgian Dream, violated the Constitution of Georgia and the Parliament's Rules of Procedure by announcing the powers of its deputies. Levan Ioseliani, however, considers the Parliament legitimate.
“We, the employees of the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia, have always been and remain committed to the interests of the people, the state, and the fundamental principles and goals of the constitutional body. As public servants, from the moment we take the oath, we are guided solely by the Constitution of Georgia, the laws of Georgia, and international treaties within the framework of our legal obligations.
Our sole objective is to perform a timely, comprehensive, independent, and impartial supervisory function for the protection of human rights. Based on this, we believe it is important to publicly express our position regarding the constitutionality of the Public Defender’s attendance at the parliamentary session and the recognition of the Parliament’s authority.
The Constitution of Georgia and the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament explicitly prohibit the recognition of parliamentary authority if the legality of the election of its members is under challenge in the Constitutional Court. It is well-known that the President of Georgia and one-fifth of the members of Parliament (who, along with the Public Defender, represent special entities entitled to appeal election results) have petitioned the Constitutional Court to examine the legality of the election of all 150 members of Parliament. The Constitutional Court must render its decision on this matter within a strict time frame of 30 days.
On November 25, the powers of certain members of Parliament were recognized in violation of the rules established by the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure, despite their election still being subject to judicial review.
We deeply regret the participation of the Public Defender in such processes, which undermine the constitutional and legal order, harm the independence of the Public Defender’s activities, and erode public trust in the institution.
It is worth noting that the employees of the Public Defender’s Office consistently seek to address and resolve these and other issues using internal resources. However, as this matter pertains to a significant public interest, we deemed it critically important to share our position with the public, to whom we are ultimately accountable as public servants. We are fully aware that such events negatively impact the reputation of this institution, which has been built over years through the dedicated efforts of civil servants employed here - not solely by the public defenders elected for limited terms.
We firmly state that the position of the professionals employed here is principled, not only on this issue but also on others. Our priorities, vision, and commitment to human rights remain unchanged,” the statement from the Public Defender’s Office concluded.
The statement is signed by Ani Saldadze, Eka Mamrikishvili, Elene Chavleshvili, Eva Pajishvili, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Giorgi Tkebuchava, Giorgi Melikidze, Giorgi Kajaia, Giorgi Charkviani, Giorgi Dzadzua, Gvantsa Kharatishvili, Lara Jamarauli, Lika Batsikadze, Lika Ghvinjilia, Levan Papava, Mako Arabuli, Mariam Tavdgiridze, Mariam Makharadze, Mariam Moseshvili, Merab Doborjginidze, Natia Gorgiladze, Natia Pitskhelauri, Natia Sagrishvili, Nino Atabegashvili, Nino Berishvili, Nino Lezhava, Nino Shalamberidze, Nino Sulamanidze, Nino Valikovi, Sopho Rusetski, Tamar Gugutishvili, Tamar Oganova, Tamar Khokhobashvili, Tamta Papuashvili, Tamuna Abazadze, Tinatin Tinikashvili, and Keti Khvedeliani.
At a single-party session on November 25, Georgian Dream recognized the authority of all 150 members of Parliament, elected an illegitimate speaker of Parliament, as well as deputy speakers and committee chairpersons. As per the Constitution, the President appoints the first session of the newly elected Parliament; however, Salome Zourabichvili did not do so. Instead, she appealed the results of the parliamentary elections - and consequently, the legality of the election of all 150 members - to the Constitutional Court. Constitutional experts explain that Parliament had no right to recognize the authority of individuals whose election legality is under appeal in the Constitutional Court. According to their interpretation, the decisions made by Parliament under these circumstances are deemed illegal.
