OSCE Mission helps organize discussion in Tbilisi on ways to improve situation of prisoners with health problems

TBILISI, 6 June 2008 - Improving legal assistance for prisoners with serious health conditions in Georgia will be the focus of a roundtable discussion in Tbilisi tomorrow.

The event, organized by the Georgian human rights NGONGO
non-governmental organization Article 42 of the Constitution and supported by the OSCE Mission to Georgia, is part of an OSCE-funded project to improve the human rights situation of vulnerable and marginal groups in Georgian prisons.

"The project aims to improve access to legal aid for prisoners affected by tuberculosis, cancer or HIV/AIDS as well as pregnant women in Tbilisi, Rustavi and Mtskheta prison hospitals," said Guillaume Siemienski, the Head of the OSCE Mission's Human Dimension Office.

"It also raises awareness among stakeholders and the society on the situation. We are ready to provide further assistance to the Georgian government to assist in implementing the current legal provisions."

The OSCE Mission has been assisting Georgia in reforming its penitentiary system, including by offering training courses for prison staff.