Georgian Ombudsman states violation of human rights and freedoms in his country

Georgiy Tugushi, Ombudsman of Georgia, has characterized the situation in the sphere of human rights in the country as grave. This is stated in his first report, for the first half of 2009, placed in the web site of the Ombudsman.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Ombudsman will get opportunities to freely and periodically supervise corrective establishments. A respective decision was adopted by the parliament of Georgia.

"It's possible to state with confidence that the situation with defence of human rights and freedoms remains grave; there were violations of personal economic and social rights and freedoms," the "Gazeta.Ru" quotes Mr Tugushi.

In the near future, the report will be presented to the parliament of Georgia. The Ombudsman emphasizes the problems of investigating facts of abuse of force, of violence and humiliating treatment of citizens by law enforcement bodies, as the "News-Georgia" writes.

In Georgiy Tugushi's opinion, the situation in the penitentiary system is especially problematic, especially because of overcrowded prisons, where custody conditions get progressively poorer.

The Ombudsman notes that after 2008 nothing has changed in the situation with the freedom of speech in the country. "After April 9, 2009, it became clear that there are problems in ensuring safety of the journalists, who are covering protest actions, both from the participants of such actions and from law enforcement bodies," the report further runs. "It should be noted that Georgia sees deterioration of the situation in the sphere of the freedom of speech," Mr Tugushi concludes.