On 18 February 2026, the follow-up report on the visit of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), operating under the Council of Europe, was published.

The CPT positively assessed the level of cooperation received during the visit, noting that the delegation was provided with full support by both the leadership of the Ministry of Justice and the Penitentiary Service, as well as by the staff of the penitentiary institutions. The Committee emphasized that the delegation was able to visit all relevant facilities without hindrance, access the requested documentation, and conduct private interviews with prisoners. This, once again, confirms the transparency of the Georgian penitentiary system.

According to the report, the delegation did not receive any allegations or information regarding physical violence or ill-treatment of prisoners by staff. On the contrary, the CPT noted the existence of generally positive and calm relations between prison staff and inmates.

The Committee also positively assessed the conditions in the new penitentiary facility opened in Laituri township. The modern facility, designed to accommodate 700 inmates, is fully adapted to meet the needs of both remand and sentenced prisoners, as well as the institution’s staff. The CPT was further informed that a new small-scale penitentiary facility with a capacity of 150 inmates will be opened in the near future.

The health care system within the penitentiary service was likewise positively evaluated. The report notes that remand and sentenced prisoners are provided with 24-hour medical care, and that all institutions ensure prompt access to first aid services.

With regard to the recommendations contained in the report, the CPT emphasized the importance of increasing out-of-cell activities and expanding resocialization and rehabilitation programs, strengthening mechanisms for preventing and responding to inter-prisoner violence, and further improving the working conditions of penitentiary staff. Detailed information on both implemented and planned measures in response to these recommendations has been submitted to the Committee and is publicly available alongside the CPT report.

In addition to the CPT’s conclusions, statistics of the European Court of Human Rights serve as a further indicator of the effectiveness of reforms in the Georgian penitentiary system and the high standard of protection of prisoners’ rights. According to these statistics, since 2012, no case originating from the Georgian penitentiary system and submitted to the Strasbourg Court has been declared admissible.

The CPT delegation visited Georgia from 18 to 29 November 2024 and from 21 to 22 January 2025.

The LEPL Center for Professional Training and Retraining of Convicts of the Ministry of Justice has summarized the results of its five years of work. The event was opened by the Minister of Justice, Paata Salia, who spoke about the Center’s vital role in promoting the resocialization and rehabilitation of convicts.

The Director of the Center, Tamta Demurishvili, presented the projects implemented since 2020 to the invited guests.

During the event, the Center’s employees were awarded certificates of appreciation in recognition of their dedicated service.

The Center for Professional Training and Retraining of Convicts was established to support the resocialization and rehabilitation of convicts. Its primary function is to facilitate vocational education and retraining, as well as to develop and implement vocational courses and employment programs for beneficiaries.

Georgian Minister of Justice Paata Salia, together with First Deputy Minister Beka Dzamashvili and Deputy Minister Tamar Zodelava, met with Cambodian Minister of Telecommunications Chea Vandet.

During the meeting, the Georgian side emphasized that digital transformation is a strategic priority for the Ministry of Justice. Particular attention was paid to the work of the Digital Governance Agency, which is responsible for implementing digital governance, cybersecurity, and information security policies within the Ministry, as well as for the development and maintenance of IT systems.

The discussion also covered technological innovations introduced in the real estate registration system, including the use of smart contracts and the integration of artificial intelligence–based solutions. These technologies enable citizens to carry out property transactions securely and remotely.

In addition, the parties discussed opportunities for cooperation in the development and implementation of modern technologies in public services.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Paata Salia invited the Cambodian Minister of Telecommunications to participate in the UN Public Services Forum, scheduled to be held in Tbilisi on June 23–25 and organized by the Ministry of Justice.

Paata Salia emphasized that participation in the World Government Summit was significant both for strengthening existing international partnerships and for establishing new ones. He noted that the summit sessions, during which countries shared experiences across various fields, were particularly valuable for the Middle Corridor countries.

“The World Government Summit is one of the most important international platforms for sharing experiences, discussing global challenges, and addressing common interests. It also serves as a key venue for deepening cooperation with existing partners and building new partnerships. We participated in several sessions focused on the Global South and the interests of the Middle Corridor countries. Special attention was also given to the use of artificial intelligence in both the public and private sectors. Our participation in the session on artificial intelligence in public governance was especially important: we shared Georgia’s experience and learned from innovative approaches presented by advanced countries, including the Republic of South Korea,” Paata Salia stated.

The World Government Summit is taking place in the United Arab Emirates from February 3 to 5. The Georgian delegation is led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

At a panel discussion held as part of the World Government Summit, Georgian Minister of Justice Paata Salia spoke about the growing role of technology in public governance and legislative reform. The Minister emphasized that in today’s world, law, politics, and technological innovation should function as an integrated system rather than as separate spheres.

During his address, Paata Salia highlighted the importance of transparency in lawmaking and the role digital tools play in ensuring open and efficient governance. He also discussed the practical application of modern technologies in public administration and their impact on institutional effectiveness.

“We are actively using technological innovations in international litigation and arbitration as well,” the Minister noted. “A clear example of economic efficiency is the Georgian Public Registry, whose services are based on smart contracts. These services enable the full remote execution of real estate transactions — from payment to ownership registration — through secure digital identification,” he added, stressing that such innovations are particularly important for both Georgian citizens and investors.

The World Government Summit is taking place in the United Arab Emirates from February 3 to 5. The Georgian delegation is led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

Minister of Justice Paata Salia addressed Georgia’s strategic location and its role in strengthening international economic ties during the World Government Summit in Dubai.

The summit brings together countries to share achievements and discuss key challenges. In his address, the Minister outlined Georgia’s priority areas, including the development of citizen-centric public services, the advancement of digital governance, and the implementation of institutional reforms.

During the event, the Georgian Justice Minister invited representatives of participating countries to attend the UN Public Services Forum, which will take place in Tbilisi on June 23–25, 2026.

Paata Salia will also speak at a plenary session focused on countries’ experiences in the field of artificial intelligence.

The World Government Summit is being held in the United Arab Emirates from February 3 to 5. The Georgian delegation is headed by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

The Minister of Justice held a meeting with the Chairman of the Bar Association to discuss the key directions of interdepartmental cooperation. During the meeting, Paata Salia and Irakli Kandashvili reviewed the current state of cooperation between the two institutions and explored prospects for further strengthening their partnership.

It was emphasized that the protection of human rights remains one of the Ministry of Justice’s top priorities, and that close and effective cooperation with the Bar Association plays a vital role in achieving this objective.

The discussion also focused on ongoing reforms in the fields of justice and human rights protection, as well as the importance of enhancing the role of lawyers as key human rights defenders within this process.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Paata Salia congratulated Irakli Kandashvili on his election as Chairman of the Bar Association and wished him success in his new role.