Georgia’s national preventive mechanism against torture, inhumane treatment marks 10th anniversary

Georgia’s national preventive mechanism, which aims to prevent torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in closed facilities [prisons, psychiatric facilities], is marking its 10th anniversary this year.

In 2009 the Georgian Public Defender’s Office was granted the mandate of the national preventive mechanism, by which the institute joined the global system of prevention of torture.

Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria stated at an international conference dedicated to the date earlier today that the prevention of torture “is not a separate issue, a range of state institutions are involved and should be involved in it.”

 Prevention of torture can be ensured though effective investigation, quality justice system and rule of law,” Lomjaria said.

Lomjaria stated that the major challenge for the mechanism is “the lack of necessary funds, but the issue has never influenced the impartiality of the mechanism.”

The event has been marked at the Palace of State Ceremonies in Tbilisi. Photo: Public Defender's press office. 

Deputy Justice Minister Gocha Lortkipanidze stated at the conference that “much has been done under the Georgian Dream leadership” to prevent torture and inhumane treatment.

Starting from 2012 one of the major goals of the Georgian Dream leadership has been to take effective steps against torture and inhumane treatment. We have achieved big success in this regard which is recognised in many local and international reports,” Lortkipanidze said.

He stated that after the merger of the ministries of justice and corrections back in 2017 a “new wave of reforms” has been launched to bring the Georgian justice system into full compliance with international standards.

• A special preventive group under the Public Defender’s Office regularly monitors the conditions and treatment of detainees and prisoners or persons whose liberty is otherwise restricted, convicts, as well as persons in mental health facilities, elderly care homes and children’s homes in order to protect them from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Local and international organisations, members of state agencies attended the event held at the Palace of State Ceremonies [former presidential palace in Avlabari] earlier today to mark the 10th anniversary.