Amnesty Calls on Georgia to Follow CAT Recommendations

The Amnesty International called on the Georgian authorities on May 22 “to promptly implement” recommendations issued by the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT).

“The findings of the CAT echoed concerns expressed by Amnesty International regarding the persistence of impunity and intimidation in relation to the use of excessive force and torture or other ill-treatment by law enforcement officials,” the Amnesty International said in a statement.

CAT said in its conclusions following examination of Georgia’s third periodic report under the UN Convention against Torture, that it remains concerned despite “extensive legislative reforms” undertaken by the Georgian authorities.
 
“Impunity and intimidation still persisted, in particular in relation to the use of excessive force, including torture and other forms of ill-treatment by law enforcement officials, especially prior to and during arrest, during prison riots and in the fight against organized crime. The Committee therefore recommended that Georgia give higher priority to efforts to promote a culture of human rights by ensuring that a policy of zero tolerance was developed and implemented at all levels of the police force hierarchy as well as for all staff in the penitentiary establishments,” the CAT stated.

“Such a policy should identify and address the problems, and elaborate a code of conduct for all officials, including those involved in the fight against organized crime, as well as introduce regular monitoring by an independent oversight body. The State party should also strengthen its investigative capacity, including that of the Prosecutor-General’s office, in order to promptly and thoroughly examine all allegations of torture and ill-treatment, and statistics on convictions and disciplinary measures should be regularly published and made available to the public,” the CAT conclusion reads.