Georgian Government Stalls in Publishing Report by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture of the Council of Europe
Human Rights Documentation and Information Centre was informed that the Georgian government has purposefully prolonged the terms for giving permission to issue a report made by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture of the Council of Europe. The representatives of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture of the Council of Europe were in Georgia in 2003 and 2004, visiting penitentiaries, pre-trial cells and psychiatric institutions. After their visit they compiled a report detailing cases of torture in Georgia, and developed corresponding recommendations for the Georgian government on how to deal with the problem. This report is considered to be a confidential document until the government permits the Committee to publish it.
As it became known, the report should have been published several months ago, yet it still remains classified, and it is unclear why the government conceals it from the public. The appropriate Department of the Justice Ministry has deliberately delayed its publication, once again confirming the tendency of the government to hide all critical remarks and recommendations made by international organizations from society.
Human Rights Documentation and Information Centre is demanding that the government issue the report made by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture of the Council of Europe.