GEORGIA | Public Defender issues statement on human rights standards during a pandemic

The Public Defender of Georgia is closely monitoring the implementation of measures aimed at preventing and eliminating the spread of coronavirus.

The Public Defender has not yet been applied with regard to any alleged violation of rights. However, people have questions about various legal issues and the office therefore wants to provide the public with information about the most frequently asked questions regarding human rights standards in the current situation such as:

• What legal regime is applied during a pandemic/epidemic?
• What rights may be restricted during the pandemic?
• What is quarantine and isolation?
• Is the police allowed to enforce the quarantine measure?
• What conditions should be provided in the quarantine facility?
• What does the state of emergency mean?
• What is the authority of the Public Defender in this process?

Please find the full statement of the Public Defender on human rights standards during a pandemic/epidemic further down below for your information and consideration.

Source: Office of the Public Defender, Georgia