The Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee deliberated the changes to the Rules of Procedure, which, in compliance with EC’s recommendations, specifies the manner for nominating a new Public Defender (PD) namely by maximizing the transparency of the hereof procedure and attaching additional preference to an independent candidate.

As the rapporteur, the chairman of the Human Rights Protection and Civil Integration Committee, Mikheil Sarjveladze elucidated, that the endorsement of the document ensures the introduction of the best international experience as well as good practices into the legal framework.

“The draft Rules of Procedure establishes a provisional rule for the election of the Public Defender, which ensures high transparency of the process of selecting and presenting a candidate and the wide involvement of civil society, including academic and professional circles”, - said Mikheil Sarjveladze.

As per the document, candidates will be required to submit their applications to Parliament per the Speaker’s decree to be considered for the position of Public Defender in 2022.

Along with this, the creation of a special assessment working group with 9 members is determined by the same decree. The working group’s members will judge the candidates before being put forward for election to the Parliament based on the following standards: integrity; a stellar reputation; objectivity and independence; appropriate professional knowledge (qualification, academic degree, scientific accomplishments, etc.); practical experience in the area of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

After the evaluation of the candidates by the working group, the subjects with authority to nominate the candidate determined by the Rules of Procedure will have the opportunity to present the candidates to the Parliament from among the persons who apply to the Parliament to participate in the assessment process.

The total number of nominated candidates should not be less than 7. According to the current Rules of Procedure, the person authorized to nominate a candidate is both a faction and a group of at least 7 non-attached MPs. At the same time, the Public Defender is elected by the Parliament with a majority of more than three-fifths of the total members.

The Committee approved the document for the Plenary Session.