Georgian Justice Minister highlights “not a single” ECHR complaint against domestic penitentiary system since 2012
In his address to the Parliament, Bregadze noted conditions of prisoners in the system were “much improved” today. Photo: InterPressNews
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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.
The Georgian Justice Ministry on Wednesday said it was being “completely open and transparent” over questions related to imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili, as the latter announced his latest hunger strike and accused the body of violation of his rights of featuring in a trial hearing on granting him release or sentence postponement on medical grounds.
The Georgian Government has presented the draft for a new penitentiary code to the Parliament, with the proposed document including a number of benefits for Penitentiary Service employees and inmates, Prime Minister Irakli Garibasvhili said at Monday's Government’s meeting.
Georgian justice minister Rati Bregadze on Tuesday said the government was offering the imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili to bring “any doctor from any foreign clinic” and involve them in his treatment in Georgia.
Georgian president Salome Zourabichvili on Friday pardoned 15 inmates, the presidential administration announced.
A penitentiary facility of the highest European standards will be opened in 2023 in the small town of Laituri in Georgia’s west, designed for about 700 prisoners and tailored to the needs of convicts and facility staff, the Justice Ministry said on Thursday.
The ongoing reforms within the Georgian Justice Ministry were discussed on Tuesday by Justice Minister Rati Bregadze and Co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
Georgian Justice Minister Rati Bregadze and Bjørn Berge, the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, on Thursday discussed the progress achieved by the country in human rights protection.