OSCE Mission helps Georgia become an "area free of torture"

TBILISI, 28 May 2003 - Taking a further step towards fulfilling its OSCE commitments to eliminate torture and inhuman treatment, Georgia today has launched a new website displaying important anti-torture information issued by the Georgian authorities and international organizations.

The new website is a key component of the first nationwide, comprehensive project against torture - the National Action Plan against Torture. The site was launched by the Human Rights Department of Georgia's National Security Council with the support of the OSCE Mission to Georgia. It aims at bringing Georgian legislation and the practice of Georgian executive bodies into line with OSCE commitments to eliminate torture and inhuman treatment.

"The creation of this website is aimed at promoting respect for human rights and dignity in the country", said Hans Wesseling, Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Georgia, which provided technical and consultative assistance to the National Security Council.

In addition, the project team received legal support from the OSCE's Warsaw-based Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

"Information displayed on the website includes Presidential decrees, state reports to United Nations treaty monitoring bodies, and other documents issued by the OSCE, the UN and the Council of Europe," added Mr. Wesseling.