EUMM Concerned over Detention of Four Teens

The EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia expressed “profound concern” over the detention of four Georgian teenagers and called on South Ossetian authorities to find common ground with relevant Georgian structures to promptly resolve the situation.

EUMM sai four teenagers, between 14 and 17 years old, were detained "in the vicinity of Tskhinvali" on November 4. All of them still remain held in the breakaway region.

“While EUMM declares its readiness to assist in any appropriate way, the Mission also vigorously appeals to the de facto authorities in South Ossetian to find common ground with the relevant Georgian structures in order to bring the present situation in a prompt manner to a satisfactory resolve,” the EUMM said on November 8. 

The mission also said that it was in contact through the hotline with all the parties and in particular with the breakaway region’s authorities.

“EUMM reminds that in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the appropriate treatment of under aged detainees must be ensured at all times. Among others, children taken into custody during pre-trial detention must not be placed in penitentiary facilities used by ordinary criminals; the Social Service department or its equivalent is the only authority in charge of holding under aged people in detention; under aged detainees have the right of immediate access to legal council assistance; the right to receive a visit of parents or a next of kin; and, the de facto authorities are obliged to inform parents or legal guardians of under aged detainees on the charges,” EUMM said.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)