Memorandum of understanding was signed between MIA Central Criminal Police Department and “Open Society Georgia”. Memorandum is aimed at implementing project “Procedural Rights of the suspect during detention by Police in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine: empirical research and promoting best practice, which was elaborated by the “Open Society Justice Initiative” (OSJI), Georgian, Moldavian, Ukrainian national funds and "Legal Aid Reformers’ Network" (LARN). Purpose of the mentioned project is to study the situation of the detained or accused persons in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in terms of protecting their rights as well as police experience in order to improve situation and elaborate recommendations. The research is focused on procedural rights, right to remain silent, medical aid and right to have a lawyer.
The research will be held on the daily basis by monitoring justice practitioners and their everyday activities. In order to receive detailed information on practical issues policemen, lawyers and detainees well be interviewed. Within the frames of the project identities of participants will be classified. Research will be held in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Telavi police stations, where experts will attend questioning procedures of the detainees for 30 days. Next phase of the research will be dedicated to interviewing policemen, lawyers and detainees which will last for 60 days.
Project “Procedural Rights of the suspect during detention by Police in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine: empirical research and promoting best practice” will make the Ministry of Internal Affairs more transparent, emphasize democratic activities and law supremacy as well as the fact that accountability, publicity of information and involvement of public sector will act as main priorities for the Agency.
