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• Report on Impact of Covid 19 on Health and Other Rights of Prisoners and Staff of Penitentiary System

  On May 11, 2022, the Public Defender of Georgia and Prevention for Progress, a non-governmental organization, presented a joint report “Impact of Covid 19 on the Health and Other Rights of Prisoners and Staff of the Penitentiary System." The study assesses the impact of special measures taken by the Special Penitentiary Service from March 2020 through 2021 on the rights situation of prisoners.

  According to the study, the measures taken to stop the spread of the virus had a positive impact on the prevention of Covid 19. The above was also contributed by the allocation of quarantine spaces and isolation of suspicious patients. The importance of mass and regular PCR and rapid antigen testing of the staff and inmates played a key role in the early detection of the disease. According to the interviews with the medical personnel and prisoners, the vaccination process was proceeding at a good pace in the penitentiaries. In addition, compared to a similar study conducted in 2017, the percentage of respondents, who think that food quantity is inadequate, decreased in 2021.

  The results of the study show that restrictions were overused during the pandemic period and no appropriate efforts were made to find possible alternative solutions. No appropriate steps were taken by the state institution to reduce the number of prisoners. During the evaluation process, special attention was paid to the medical issues. The study showed that the number of medical personnel decreased, which led to delays in the provision of medical care. Due to delays and reductions in outpatient services, the number of transfers of prisoners to civil sector hospitals increased, as well as the number of cases of emergency transfers to medical facilities. The reduction in the provision of outpatient psychiatric care also had a negative impact on the mental health of inmates, increasing the need for treatment in psychiatric facilities.

  The pandemic and the measures taken negatively affected prisoners' contact with the outside world. The study made it clear that the free phone minutes added as compensation during the period of restrictions were not sufficient to counterbalance the restrictions. Prisoners were restricted from contacting lawyers, psychologists and social workers, and they were unable to receive the relevant services. The number of rehabilitation programmes also significantly reduced. The study also showed that the living and working conditions of the employees, who were not allowed to leave the facilities, were difficult.

• Statement of the Administration of the President

  The process of national accord initiated by the President is a complex and difficult process that is both open and transparent and in no way secretive. In recent days, various information has been spread, the source of which is not the Administration of the President.

  At the beginning stage of the national accord process, the President is listening to everyone and holding meetings and is interested in the views, initiatives and positions of various societal groups, all of which are part of the greater national accord process.

  It should be noted that not only political parties but also the public at large, including representatives of non-governmental organizations working on victims’ issues, are involved in this process.

  The President has already held meetings with the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, former President Giorgi Margvelashvili and representatives of political parties. The process continues and the President continues to hold active meetings.

• President Margvelashvili Meets with OSCE Special Representative for South Caucasus

  The President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili has hosted a meeting with OSCE Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Ambassador Günther Bächler at the Presidential Palace. The meeting has also been attended by the Ambassador of Italy, Antonio Enrico Bartoli, as the Ambassador of the country holding the OSCE chairmanship.
  Conversation at the meeting touched upon the situation in the occupied territories of Georgia, issues of conflict resolution and security environment in the region.
  President Margvelashvili has spoken about the International Geneva Discussions and the role of OSCE in conflict resolution issues.
  The meeting, also attended by Head of Administration of the President Mr. Giorgi Abashishvili and Advisor to the President for Foreign Affairs Mr. Tengiz Pkhaladze also focused on negative impacts on freedom of movement and rights of Georgian citizens caused by the installation of barbed wire fences and banners.

• President of Georgia Awarded Zaza Pachulia the Order of Honor

  President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili awarded Zaza Pachulia the Order of Honor for special contribution to the development of basketball and popularization of Georgia on the international arena, President’s press service reported.

  The award ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace of Georgia today and the Head of President’s Administration Giorgi Abaishvili, Zaza Pachulia’s family members, representatives of the administration, Georgian national team, coaches and representatives of “Golden State” attended it.

  “Zaza Pachulia is the first Georgian basketball player who has won the NBA Cup and decided to celebrate this victory in his homeland. Success is very important but the most important is to share it with the community. Zaza Pachulia does not forget his homeland. He was with us when Tbilisi was in a difficult situation after inundation. I want to thank him for such patriotic spirit”, - said the President at the award ceremony.

  Zaza Pachulia thanked the President of Georgia for awarding him.

  “What I have done in my life I have done with my heart and I did not expect such thing. It is a special day for me, because the president appreciates the work I have done and I am grateful for everything. I will try to keep this Order of Honor worthy”, said Pachulia.

  Recall that Pachulia brought the NBA Champion Cup to his homeland yesterday and today, 20:00 pm, it will be represented at the Sports Palace.

• President Margvelashvili to Pay a Visit to Batumi

  The President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili will pay a visit to Batumi and attend the Conference of European Constitutional Courts’ XVII Congress on the topic of the "Role of Constitutional Courts in upholding and applying Constitutional Principles".
  President Margvelashvili will deliver a speech at the conference and address chairmen of more than 40 European countries’ constitutional courts.
  Official reception will be held for the participants of the conference, on behalf of President Margvelashvili.
  Aside the member states of the European constitutional courts, the President of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, Mr. Gianni Buquicchio will also take part in the conference. Mr. Buquicchio will hold a meeting with President Margvelashvili on June 29 and discuss issues related to the constitutional reform of Georgia.