On April 6-7, 2016, a meeting was held with journalists on the issue of creation of an independent investigation mechanism at the initiative of Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili. The recommendation on the creation of an independent investigative mechanism was prepared by the Public Defender in 2014. However, in spite of its great importance, the recommendation has not been implemented yet.

The Public Defender reviewed cases of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment committed by law enforcement officers and emphasized the need for and models of an institutionally independent investigation mechanism. He highlighted the shortcomings of the current law in terms of the investigation of similar crimes, as well as the established practice of impunity.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the organizations supporting the creation of an independent investigative mechanism: the Council of Europe, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Open Society Georgia.

A representative of the Open Society Georgia reviewed in detail the bill on the independent investigative mechanism, which was worked out by the NGO sector. When discussing the bill, several important issues were considered: jurisdiction of an independent investigative mechanism in relation to crimes and the time when the crimes were committed, realization of the prosecutor’s authority, rules of selection of the head of an independent investigative mechanism and other staff, etc. Practices and models of various countries were also discussed at the meeting.

The meeting was attended by 20 journalists both from the central and regional media sources. The Public Defender has already held a similar meeting with MPs.