Today, in the “Courtyard Marriott” hotel, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has delivered the report on the activities of the Temporary Detention Department. The presentation was organized with the support of the EU and UN joint project "Human Rights for All".
The event was attended by the Public Defender, representatives of various state agencies, NGOs and international organizations.
The event was opened by Mr. Giorgi Gakharia, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Carl Hartzell, the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, Mr. Vladimir Shkolnikov, the Senior Human Rights Adviser for South Caucasus and Ms. Nino Lomjaria, the Public Defender.
In 2018, within the framework of “System Upgrade” of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a number of significant changes were implemented in temporary detention isolators. In particular, the video-surveillance system has been upgraded and the condition of detainees and medical services have been improved. Additionally, the qualification and skills of employees has been improved.
In the framework of police infrastructure development, with the support of the United Nations Children's Fund, Juvenile detention and investigation rooms were arranged in Rustavi Temporary Detention Isolator. Additionally, the temporary detention isolators in Akhalkalaki, Tsalka and Chkhorotsku were fully renovated and equipped with modern equipment.
The temporary detention isolator of Mtskheta has been expanded. Moreover, rehabilitation of the temporary detention isolators of Kobuleti, Poti and Samtredia are in progress and will be completed in the nearest future. In August, a new isolator will be opened in Bakuriani.
In 2018, based on the recommendations of the Public Defender of Georgia, medical points were opened in eight isolators (Mtskheta, Sagarejo, Kvareli, Poti, Zestafoni, Khashuri, Chkhorotsku and Akhaltsikhe); Special training and coursed were delivered to the practicing as well as the new doctors of isolators. Furthermore, last year, all employees of the temporary detention isolators were retrained.
The video surveillance system was upgraded in six different isolators. By the end of 2019, video cameras will be set up in the remaining 23 isolators as well. As of today, the video recording is ensured in each isolator and the minimum term of its storage has increased from 24 hours to 120 hours. In addition, the maximum number of persons in each cell of temporary detention isolator was determined in compliance with the international standards.
As for the ongoing projects, construction of temporary detention isolator has already begun in Tbilisi. It should be emphasized that the infrastructure will be fully adapted to juveniles and persons with disabilities. The recommendations of the Public Defender and internationally established standards have been fully envisaged during the construction works.
The construction of the temporary detention isolator in Avchala will be completed by the end of 2019.
