The State Agency for Care and Assistance of Victims of Trafficking says 20 minors have left the Ninotsminda orphanage so far, seven of whom are children with disabilities. In their best interests, they have been transferred to other forms of care, such as their biological families, small family-type houses, and foster care.
“A group of specialists of the agency, which is staffed with social workers and psychologists, has been working in Ninotsminda boarding house for 3 days now. They are assessing the condition of minors, the peculiarities of their development and psycho-emotional background on the ground.
“The mentioned works were carried out with the coordinated work of the State Care Agency. Social workers and psychologists of the agency remain on the ground and continue to work,” the agency wrote.
Court Decision
Non-governmental organization ‘Partnership for Human Rights’ (PHR) said on June 5 the Tbilisi City Court approved their request for immediate removal of children from the Ninotsminda boarding school.
The organization applied to the court on June 4, requesting that all children be removed from the Ninotsminda Boarding School immediately as a security measure. The judge partially granted the motion, meaning that the Ministry of Health and the State Care Agency were instructed to transfer children with disabilities to another state care facility “without any interference.” The motion in the other part was not granted.
The Patriarchate says that it will appeal this decision.
Representative of the NGO Ana Abashidze addressed the authorities and said that if the State Care Agency only removes persons with disabilities from the facility, it will leave the rest of the children in a dangerous environment. She claims that today there are grounds for all children to leave the institution regardless of their status.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs launched an investigation on possible crimes committed against children at St. Nino Boarding School under article 126, part I1, envisaged by the Criminal Code of Georgia.
By Ana Dumbadze
Image source: Netgazeti
Related Story: PHR: Court Approved our Request for Immediate Removal of Children from Ninotsminda Orphanage
