Appeal of NGOs regarding the statement of the Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance of Georgia

We express our concern regarding the statement of the Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance of Georgia. In particular, on July 4, while having a conversation with journalists, the Minister rejected the facts stated in the Parliamentary Report of the Public Defender, which were regarding the issue that women prisoners are denuded and forced to do squats during the full examination. He also noted, “Mr. Ucha sometimes surprises us with his innovative discoveries”. 

We think that the response of the Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance of Georgia, regarding the negative assessment made by the Public Defender about so-called full examination of women prisoners, on the one hand does not contribute to the reformation process of the penitentiary system and, on the other hand, it is insulting and discrediting the Ombudsman Institute. 

In our opinion, the Ministry of Corrections and Legal Assistance of Georgia, instead of making insulting statements, should be interested in more transparency and accountability of the penitentiary system and in constructive cooperation with the Public Defender. 

Despite the reforms, in addition to the degrading examination of women prisoners in the penitentiary system, providing the prisoners with quality health care, hygiene products and conjugal visits remain as an issue. This requires additional effort from the Government. 

Based on the above, we call on the Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance of Georgia:

• To review the existing procedure of so-called full examination of women prisoners and conform it to international standards for treating persons appropriate to their honor and dignity. 

•  To take appropriate measures in order to provide quality health care, hygiene products and conjugal visits for prisoners. 

Human Rights Center;

Penal Reform International; 

Article 42 of the Constitution;

Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association;

Public Advocacy;

Public Movement “Multinational Georgia”