The Representatives of the Ombudsman’s Office Check Procedures of Issuing Public Information in Gori

The Representatives of the Ombudsman’s Office Check Procedures of Issuing Public Information in Gori

Representatives of the Ombudsman’s Office studied the procedures regarding the issuing of public information from the Regional and Local Administration Chancellery.

Staff of the Ombudsman’s Office monitored the process, when local journalists asked for the public information. A letter by a representative of the ‘Human Rights Information and Documentation Centre’ was not registered before the staff of the Regional Administration found out, that a representative of the Ombudsman was with the journalist. “Why have not you told me, that you are from the Ombudsman’s office?” – asked the head of the Chancellery Alex Dgalabadze.

Dgalabadze tried to explain to the journalists that he was going to register their letters after 6 o’clock, because he was very busy before that. “I have the right to register the letters on the day of submission. Come later and I will give you the answer then,” said Dgalabadze.

A curious fact was uncovered in the Gori Administration: Representatives of the Chancellery tried to explain to the representatives of the Ombudsman’s office and the Human Rights Information and Documentation Centre, that the journalists’ inquiry should been have been sent to the Local Governor and only after that do they have the right to register it.

According to the Ombudsman’s Office, the Regional and Local Administration has violated article 79, part 2. According to the legislation, the applicant should receive the registration number immediately. The representatives of the Local Administration refused to comment.

Saba Tsitsikashvili from Gori