HRW: Despite Positive Steps, Torture Continues in Georgia

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) said  in its World Report 2006 that the Georgian government has taken some positive steps in preventing torture but torture and due process violations continue to be reported.

“At times the Georgian government carries out reforms hastily, without broad and open consultation and without the thoroughness or detail necessary to eradicate entrenched human rights problems. As a result, human rights abuses continue unchecked in many spheres,” HRW said.

According to the document, government reforms are producing mixed results on a range of issues, including religious and political freedom and independence of the judiciary. “Although the media is now relatively free, it has become less critical and there are signs of increasing government influence on media content,” the report reads.