The members of For Georgia party founded by former PM Giorgi Gakharia responded to the abolishment of the State Inspector’s Service.
Giorgi Gakharia, Chairman of For Georgia, has responded to the adoption of the law on the abolition of the State Inspector’s Office by the Parliament in the third reading. As Gakharia notes, the Georgian government has abolished an independent institution – the State Inspector’s Office – through an expedited procedure.
“In this way, the government sends a dangerous message to independent public officials, leaving citizens vulnerable to state violence. It is impossible for the Georgian Dream to succeed in this! Many thanks to Londa Toloraia and the team of inspectors for their work,” Gakharia tweeted.
Natia Mezvrishvili, a member of For Georgia, also echoed the abolishment of the Institution.
“Against strong western criticism, in an authoritarian manner, the ruling party has just abolished the last independent elected institution in the justice system in charge of investigating ill-treatment. Huge step back for Georgia’s democracy & towards authoritarianism,” Mezvrishvili wrote.
By the decision of the Parliament, the State Inspector’s Service will be abolished from March 1, 2022. The State Inspector and her deputies will be dismissed from the same period.
The legislative package related to the State Inspector’s Service was approved by the Parliament in the third reading. The amendments were supported by 81 deputies. Seven members of parliament voted against the bill.
By decision of the majority team, the State Service is abolished and replaced by two agencies – the Special Investigation Service and the Personal Data Protection Service.
Georgia’s foreign partners have responded to the above decision, expressing concern regarding the abolishment of the State Inspector’s Service.
The convicted former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili believes the plans to abolish the State Inspector’s Service are related to the fact that the Agency has launched an investigation into torture and inhuman treatment used against him while he was being transferred to the Gldani Prison Hospital forcefully by law enforcers.
By Ana Dumbadze
Related Story: Georgia’s Foreign Partners Concerned by Planned Abolishment of State Inspector’s Service
