Georgian Public Defender Levan Ioseliani presented the 2023 annual report on human rights and freedoms to the parliament on Tuesday.

The 386-page report comprises approximately 30 directions. Levan Ioseliani spoke about the rights of conflict-affected locals, persons with disabilities, children and the elderly, the right to freedom of expression and manifestation, social care, and gender equality.

The Public Defender underscored that freedom of media and ensuring a safe environment for journalistic work remain problematic. Special rules imposed for reporters in the parliament are a challenge.

The situation about freedom of speech turned to worse in 2023. Ioseliani stressed that murderers of Georgian citizens near the occupation line remained unpunished while unlawful borderization and detentions continued.

The Public Defender also stated that it is necessary to improve the mechanism of early release of prisoners. The police should make the use of audio/video recordings a practice.

While speaking about labour rights, Levan Ioselian stressed that the private sector must give full-pay compensation to employees for pregnancy, childbirth and childcare leave.