OSCE/ODIHR, partners support creation of national torture prevention mechanism in Georgia
TBILISI, 14 March 2007 - Effectively implementating the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture (OPCAT) in Georgia was the topic of a conference attended by over 70 government officials, civil society and international representatives in Tbilisi yesterday.
With the ratification of the OPCAT, Georgia committed to establish a National Preventive Mechanism by 22 June 2007. The mechanism will strengthen and institutionalize measures to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of inmates. It requires the establishment of a framework for independent bodies to monitor prison, police, psychiatric, military police and children's establishments.
"The OPCAT National Preventive Mechanism is an important tool that will help prevent torture," said Lars Gerold, Rule of Law officer at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Righs (ODIHR). "We hope that Georgia will ensure the establishment of an effective mechanism."
The conference was organized by the OSCE/ODIHR, Penal Reform International, the Geneva-based Association for the Prevention of Torture, and the European Union and the Global Initiative for Psychiatry.
Participants discussed draft models for a Georgian National Torture Prevention Mechanism as well as the best policies for the recruitment and operation of the envisaged monitoring body. The implementation of the protocol will require amendments to legislation on prisons, the police, psychiatric institutions, the military, education and the Ombudsman.
The meeting proposed ways to ensure a timely, transparent and effective implementation of the OPCAT in Georgia.
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