On July 17-19, 2024, within the framework of the European Union project – “Support to the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia”, a training was held for the employees of the Office and members of the Special Preventive Group on the working methods of the National Preventive Mechanism.

Working methodology, existing challenges and solutions were discussed at the meetings. The training was led by Viktor Zakharia, an international expert and member of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture.

It should be noted here that the National Preventive Mechanism of Georgia turned 15 years old on July 16, 2024. According to the amendments made to the Organic Law of Georgia on the Public Defender of Georgia on July 16, 2009, the Public Defender of Georgia performs the functions of the national mechanism provided for by the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatmentor Punishment. For this purpose, a Special Preventive Group was created at the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia, the activities of which are coordinated by the Department of the National Preventive Mechanism of the Public Defender’s Office. The National Preventive Mechanism regularly checks the situation of persons detained, imprisoned or otherwise restricted in their liberty, with a view to protecting them from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. In 2009-2023, the National Preventive Mechanism carried out 2045 preventive visits. The results of the preventive visits are reflected in reports following visits, as well as special and annual reports. In order to implement the recommendations contained in the mentioned reports, the National Preventive Mechanism conducts a constructive dialogue with stakeholders and, in accordance with the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, cooperates with the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture, which positively evaluates the mechanism’s operation in Georgia. In particular, the press release following the visit to Georgia in 2023 states that the National Preventive Mechanism systematically and professionally monitors prisons and other places of restriction of liberty.