Georgian Young Lawyers' Association Calls for Immediate Action on Mzia Amaghlobeli's Health Amid Hunger Strike
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, January 31, 2025
The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA), has raised urgent concerns over the health condition of Mzia Amaghlobeli, a journalist who has been on a hunger strike for 19 days. In an issued statement, GYLA criticized the Georgian Dream for their failure to provide any updates on Amaghlobeli's condition and for restricting access to her medical records, which her defense team has yet to receive.
The GYLA has called on the Public Defender's Office to urgently monitor Amaghlobeli's health, assess her medical needs, and ensure that the full medical documentation related to her condition is made available to the organization. The growing international outcry over the journalist's arrest and deteriorating health further underscores the gravity of the situation.
Despite Georgian legislation outlining specific guidelines for the care of individuals on hunger strikes, the GYLA expressed concerns about the adequacy of the care being provided to Amaghlobeli. The statement pointed to the journalist's chronic health issues, particularly severe vision problems, and the risk of additional complications as a result of her extended hunger strike. There are also reports from her lawyers that Amaghlobeli is already struggling to cover the distance required to meet with her legal counsel, further highlighting the deteriorating state of her health.
In response, the GYLA has issued several key demands to the Public Defender's Office. The organization is calling for continuous and daily monitoring of Amaghlobeli's health, as well as a full disclosure of the medical documentation held by the Public Defender. Additionally, the GYLA has urged the office to seek out all relevant medical records from the Penitentiary Service and ensure that these documents are shared with the organization.
One of the primary concerns raised by the GYLA is whether Amaghlobeli's current care complies with the requirements established by Georgian law. The watchdog has requested that the Public Defender's Office assess whether the prison facility is adequately equipped to provide the necessary medical care, and whether Amaghlobeli requires multidisciplinary care to address her health needs. Furthermore, the GYLA has called for daily visits by a medical professional or a representative to monitor the journalist's health and well-being.
