Ucha Nanuashvili, head of Human Rights Center, is one of the proposed candidates for ombudsman, or public defender. (IPN.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association wants a debate between prospective candidates for new ombudsman.

The young lawyers think such a debate should be organized by the Georgian public broadcaster so society can get familiar with their views and what they will do as ombudsman.

After the 1 October parliamentary elections, Georgian Dream is to come into government. At this moment candidates for new ombudsman are named by various non-governmental organizations and civil groups.

Everyone can propose a candidate to the parliament, but the candidate will we picked by the president, a faction or an initiative group of minimum six deputies in parliament.

Several candidates have been proposed already: Tamar Gurchiani, who has a background from Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA). Current head of GYLA, Tamar Chugoshvili, considers her a very experienced and highly qualification candidate. More than 40 non-governmental organizations support her.

Another candidate is Lia Mukhashavria, suggested by Independent Expert’s Club.

A third candidate is Ucha Nanuashvili, head of Human Rights Center, and a fourth is human rights lawyer Gela Nikolaishvili.

GYLA thinks a TV debate between the candidates will make the future ombudsman more be held more to account.

The public broadcaster has experience with such kinds of debates. During the election campaign there were debates between prime minister candidates, and between party lists tops.

“We think that open debates between candidates for ombudsman should be held in the last week of October or in the first week of November. The candidates should prepare their action plan and answer questions about issues about which society does not know their position,” said a representative of the young lawyers.

GYLA thinks a new public defender should be picked by the day when the new parliament starts working.

Parliament has not yet been created a group to discuss candidates.

“As soon as the group is created, it will cooperate with society very actively.” said Sozar Subar, former public defender and prison minister candidate.