Georgian Justice Minister Rati Bregadze on Friday highlighted the European Court of Human Rights had not received a “single complaint” about conditions in the Georgian penitentiary system since 2012, when the ruling Georgian Dream party came into power.
In his address to the Parliament, Bregadze noted conditions of prisoners in the system were “much improved” today.
In the penitentiary system, not a single fact of violence against prisoners by [prison] staff has been recorded, while in 2011 [during the United National Movement Government] their mistreatment was a systemic problem, as recognised by all international organisations”, he said.
“This [change] is also confirmed by the fact that since 2012, the Strasbourg court has not received a single complaint from the Georgian penitentiary system”, the Minister told lawmakers.
Bregadze made a contrast between prison conditions before and after 2012 by saying while “torture festivals where actual executioners entertained themselves” had been held in detention facilities before the change of Government, “today sports festivals aiming to establish a healthy way of life among prisoners are held”.
The official also revealed a new penitentiary facility, built with “highest international standards of all levels”, would be opened in the town of Laituri in Georgia’s west early next year with the aim of further improving conditions of prisoners.