PACE monitoring co-rapporteurs visit Georgia

Two rapporteurs are on a fact-finding mission in Georgia to observe if the country has honoured its obligations to the Council of Europe.

The co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will be in Georgia from January 13 to 15.

The men, Michael Aastrup Jensen (Denmark, ALDE) and Boriss Cilevics (Latvia, SOC) are due to meet the Georgian President, the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister, the Foreign and Justice Ministers, the Minister of Internal Affairs and the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality.

Many issues are expected to be discussed, including political developments after the elections, constitutional reform and the restructure of the justice system. The men will also follow up numerous serious issues highlighted in a report by UN expert and former Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, including alleged miscarriages of justice, allegations of violations of property rights, pressure on local officials and opposition activists, prosecution of former government officials, and more.

During the two-day visit, talks are also scheduled with representatives of the political factions in Parliament and representatives of judicial authorities and civil society.