“Participation of minors or their family members in political discussions, including in public spaces or on social networks, should not serve as a tool to disseminate content that is degrading, stigmatizing, or hateful toward children,’ reads the statement of Public Defender Levan Ioseliani.

The Public Defender called on political parties, public officials and journalists to demonstrate high-standard political and social responsibility and refrain from hate speech and unethical statements.

“Georgia’s Public Defender echoes the recently increased cases of use of hate speech against women and minors in public and political discourse, and explains that use of hate speech is unacceptable since it motivates or justifies hatred based on a different opinion or social status, especially when such rhetoric directly or indirectly targets children,” he said.

Levan Ioseliani notes that in a democratic society, attention should be focused on the content of political decisions and their impact and consequences on citizens.

“The Public Defender called on political parties, public officials, media platforms and journalists to demonstrate high-standard political and social responsibility and refrain from hate speech and unethical statements, and promote worthy, equality-based principles in public dialogue,” reads the statement of the Georgian Public Defender.