At the session of the Human Rights Protection and Civil Integration Committee, they discussed the amendments to the “Prisonment Code”, which were prepared by members of the parliament – Iago Khvichia, Vakhtang Megrelishvili, Aleksandre Rakviashvili, Herman Sabo, as a legislative initiative.Â
If the draft law is adopted, the accused/convicts in the penitentiary institution will be given the opportunity to send and receive letters, as well as to conduct a telephone conversation and video meeting with the family member of the accused/convict in the penitentiary institution.
According to the speaker, Iago Khvichya, the law on prisoners is a continuation of the regime of harsh treatment of prisoners during the Soviet Union, which is inappropriate for the example of countries that strive for Western values to establish a high standard of human rights and freedom.
“For a person whose freedom is limited, the realization of each right is an important issue. “Letters are constantly coming to the legislature on behalf of people in penitentiary institutions who are fighting for the remaining rights and few freedoms,” said Iago Khvichia.
According to the chairman of the committee, Mikheil Sarjveladze, risk insurance mechanisms can be discussed before the second reading.
“I confirm my goodwill towards the spirit of the draft law. If the bill is passed, 9,000 people will be given the opportunity to communicate with people that was limited until now, which may cause a problem in terms of management. Therefore, it will be necessary to take into account the transition period before the draft law comes into force because the Ministry of Justice should prepare and develop a sub-legal act that will regulate the relevant issues”, Mikheil Sarjveladze said.
The committee supported the draft law with the reservation that the discussion will continue in the format of a discussion.