Parents of children suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy met with the Public Defender of Georgia (Ombudsman), Levan Ioseliani. The primary focus of the meeting was the provision of medication for children in need, as well as violations of the right to assembly and freedom of expression.
“Our children have the right to life, and the state is obligated to do everything to protect that life. We have the right to assembly, and the state should not interfere or prevent us from holding gatherings. Today, the state is failing to protect our children’s right to life and is violating our rights as parents to assembly and expression,” the online news outlet Interpressnews quoted parent Kakha Tsikarishvili as saying.
Zakro Gvishiani, chairman of the organization “Fighting Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Together,” noted that Levan Ioseliani was informed in detail “about the violations that took place during this period.”
“Naturally, we began the conversation with our main demand—access to treatment and medication. We have not received proper conditions in this process. We agreed to provide the Public Defender with full information and evidence, and they will respond promptly to every report and violation occurring in the process of exercising the right to freedom of speech and expression,” stated Zakro Gvishiani.
For his part, Public Defender Levan Ioseliani noted that he offered the parents assistance within his competence in interacting with the relevant agencies.
“This was an important meeting. Today, I once again call on the authorities to ensure compliance with freedom of expression standards and to allow them to express their opinions as they see fit, within the framework of the legislation in force in Georgia…
I also offered, within my resources, to assist them and the process of interacting with relevant agencies and mediation, so that ultimately the process is resolved in the best interests of the children. This process must end in a way that parents and children are satisfied with the result. I believe there are resources for this. The parents are quite constructive in this regard and are trying to cooperate with the state as much as possible. I hope the state will also adhere to this approach, and this process will conclude successfully,” Ioseliani stated.
According to Ioseliani, the Office of the Public Defender is fully involved in this process.
“I have repeatedly offered to meet with the parents, and it is good that this meeting took place today. Thus, we are fully involved in this process.
If anyone needs to meet with me personally, that is also not a problem—I will come and talk. However, I believe that for the process itself, it is important to act institutionally, which is what we are doing,” Ioseliani stated.
