The News in Brief
Monday, July 1, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Georgian Dream to Introduce Amnesty Law, Announces Prime Minister
Georgian Dream plans to adopt an amnesty law to reduce the prison population, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced at a parliamentary session. The legislative initiative will be introduced soon, with the first reading expected in July.
Kobakhidze highlighted the collaboration with the Ministry of Justice in drafting the law. "A list of relevant articles and clauses from the Criminal Code of Georgia, which may be related to the release of persons under the amnesty rule, has already been compiled," he said.
The Prime Minister stressed the need to reduce the current prison population of nearly 10,000 inmates. "It is important that the number of prisoners is seriously reduced to bring it closer to the optimal European rate. Reducing the number of prisoners by at least one-third would be desirable, and we believe the amnesty law will make a significant contribution."
The amnesty law is set to be discussed at an extraordinary session in July and adopted in three readings by September.
Georgian Foreign Relations Chairman Urges Stronger International Action at OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Nikoloz Samkharadze, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and head of the Georgian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, addressed the Political Affairs and Security Committee during the 31st annual session in Bucharest.
In his speech, Samkharadze outlined the significant security challenges facing Georgia. He emphasized that 20% of Georgia's territory remains occupied by Russia, displacing up to 300,000 people. Samkharadze criticized some OSCE member states for not using the term "occupation" to describe this situation.
"Negotiations have been ongoing for years in the Geneva International Discussions format, including under the co-chairmanship of the OSCE, but the peace process still cannot be regulated," Samkharadze stated.
He concluded his address by calling on the international community to intensify its efforts to resolve the issue.
Georgian Dream to Introduce Amnesty Law, Announces Prime Minister
Kobakhidze highlighted the collaboration with the Ministry of Justice in drafting the law. "A list of relevant articles and clauses from the Criminal Code of Georgia, which may be related to the release of persons under the amnesty rule, has already been compiled," he said.
The Prime Minister stressed the need to reduce the current prison population of nearly 10,000 inmates. "It is important that the number of prisoners is seriously reduced to bring it closer to the optimal European rate. Reducing the number of prisoners by at least one-third would be desirable, and we believe the amnesty law will make a significant contribution."
The amnesty law is set to be discussed at an extraordinary session in July and adopted in three readings by September.
Georgian Foreign Relations Chairman Urges Stronger International Action at OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
In his speech, Samkharadze outlined the significant security challenges facing Georgia. He emphasized that 20% of Georgia's territory remains occupied by Russia, displacing up to 300,000 people. Samkharadze criticized some OSCE member states for not using the term "occupation" to describe this situation.
"Negotiations have been ongoing for years in the Geneva International Discussions format, including under the co-chairmanship of the OSCE, but the peace process still cannot be regulated," Samkharadze stated.
He concluded his address by calling on the international community to intensify its efforts to resolve the issue.