There aren't enough of you for democracy – Greetings from the Ombudsman

There Are Offices Whose Original Purpose Is Actually Quite Clear

The Ombudsman – also known as the Public Defender – is supposed to protect the rights of citizens, especially when those rights are threatened by state power. In Georgia, however, this role has taken on a new meaning under Levan Ioseliani: he has transformed into something like the government’s friendly explainer bear, kindly informing protesters when and under what conditions they are still allowed to exercise their fundamental rights.

The New Mathematics of Human Rights

In a telling appearance on PalitraNews, Mr. Ioseliani recently stated that a road blockade is only legitimate if “enough people” take part. In his view, 10, 20, or even 50 demonstrators are simply not sufficient to justify obstructing traffic. Apparently, he firmly believes that democracy depends on headcount – a sort of bulk discount on fundamental rights.

It becomes especially charming when you consider that the protests against the government are not just a handful of people but involve hundreds, often thousands of citizens showing up every single day. But why bother with facts when they don't fit the government’s narrative?

5,000 Lari Fine: A Small Gift to Democracy?

Levan Ioseliani, who once entered office claiming to be an impartial defender of human rights, is increasingly becoming a creative advocate of state repression. He does theoretically acknowledge that a 5,000 Lari fine – about 1,700 euros – would be a financial death sentence for most people in Georgia. Yet, in the same breath, he recommends simply keeping protests smaller or avoiding them altogether.

After all, you can't just have anyone show up and block a street, right?

The Perfect Ombudsman – From the Government’s Perspective

His career path as Ombudsman has been as smooth as his arguments: elected with massive support from the ruling Georgian Dream party, operating in a political climate that is growing more and more authoritarian, and always ready to dismiss anything resembling protest as exaggerated or irrelevant.

That fundamental principles like freedom of assembly and the right to peaceful protest are being tossed aside seems to bother him little. What matters is that the streets stay tidy – and uncomfortable questions don’t get asked.

A Grim Report Card on Citizens’ Rights

One might hope that the Ombudsman would at least take a clear stance in the face of obvious human rights violations. But even here, Ioseliani remains comfortably close to the government. Reports of police violence? Overblown. Protesters in jail? Just ordinary judicial procedure. A law labeling NGOs and media as “agents”? Surely it won’t be that bad.

At a time when Georgia urgently needs brave, independent voices, Levan Ioseliani presents himself as a tragic figure: an Ombudsman who thinks democracy is about orderly strolling and silence – unless there’s a five-digit crowd clapping along.

When the Ombudsman Becomes the Problem

It’s a bitter irony: the very man who should be at the forefront of defending citizens’ rights is instead helping to dismantle them, bit by bit. Perhaps Georgia should consider updating the job description for the Ombudsman: no longer seeking a defender of freedom, but rather an elegant mediator between oppression and sugarcoating.

Let’s just hope that during the next wave of protests, someone remembers to invite Mr. Ioseliani. After all, he could personally count whether there are finally enough demonstrators to consider the assembly legitimate.