Joint statement by GYLA and Amnesty International: Failure to effectively investigate allegations of torture in prisons fuels impunity
The failure to effectively investigate allegations of torture in prisons fuels impunity, - reads a joint statement by Amnesty International and the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA).
The joint statement addresses the cases of several prisoners, including Giorgi Davitadze, Giorgi and Davit Peikrishvilis, Lasha Chachanidze, and others.
The organizations call upon the Georgian authorities to "break the cycle of impunity and establish an oversight mechanism capable of effectively and independently preventing violence."
“Amnesty International and the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association express concern regarding an increase in reports of torture and other forms of ill-treatment in Georgian prisons—including allegations of sexual violence, beatings, and threats—as well as reprisals against prisoners who speak out about such violence. Recent allegations include: the sexual assault of Giorgi Davitadze at Penitentiary Establishment No. 6 in Rustavi, which reportedly led to retaliation by the prison administration against him and other inmates; the alleged rape of a prisoner by a staff member at Penitentiary Establishment No. 1 in Laituri; and the alleged brutal beating of Davit Peikrishvili by other inmates at Penitentiary Establishment No. 8 in Gldani. These allegations—along with the Special Penitentiary Service’s immediate denial of the alleged beating of Davit Peikrishvili, the termination of the investigation into Giorgi Davitadze’s claims of sexual violence on the grounds that no signs of a crime were found, and broader questions regarding the effectiveness of investigations—raise concerns about the safety of prisoners, the inadequacy of safeguards against torture and other forms of ill-treatment, and persistent impunity.
The Georgian authorities must protect prisoners from violence and retaliation, ensure prompt, effective, independent, and impartial investigations into all credible allegations of torture and other ill-treatment, and—through fair legal proceedings—bring to justice those individuals against whom there is a reasonable suspicion of responsibility. Furthermore, they should conduct a separate review of prison practices, complaint-handling procedures, and the safeguards in place to protect against ill-treatment. Address serious shortcomings regarding oversight and accountability”, reads the statement.
According to the document, the above allegations raise further concern regarding the persistent impunity for acts of torture and other forms of ill-treatment in Georgia—including the widespread violence against detained protesters observed since 2024.
“This failure to ensure effective investigation and accountability creates a risk that such violence will continue. The Georgian authorities must break this cycle of impunity and establish an oversight mechanism genuinely capable of effectively and independently preventing such violence; establish truly independent mechanisms for reviewing complaints, and ensure that victims are guaranteed justice and compensation,” reads the joint statement.
