Minister of Justice of Georgia, Rati Bregadze introduced the Code of Juvenile Justice and the Georgian model of restorative justice to the participants of the high-level conference organized by the Council of Europe.

The Ministerial "Crime and Criminal Justice - the Role of Restorative Justice in Europe" is attended by President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Rick Demes, President of the Venice Commission, Gianni Buquicchio, Minister of Justice of Italy, Marta Cartabia, and justice ministers of other European countries.

The Minister of Justice of Georgia spoke about the Georgian Code of Juvenile Justice. The Code serves the best interests of juveniles and aims to re-socialize and rehabilitate juveniles in conflict with the law, protect the rights of defendants and witnesses under the age of 18, and prevent them from re-offending. Rati Bregadze also spoke to the participants of the Ministerial about the diversion and mediation programs, which are alternative mechanisms for juvenile justice. These mechanisms enable young people in conflict with the law to avoid prosecution, punishment and, consequently, criminal liability; Instead, it offers juveniles and adults under the age of 21 the opportunity to participate in voluntary programs tailored to them.

The Minister of Justice of Georgia emphasized that as a result of the reforms carried out in this field, 5,200 juveniles have been given another chance to avoid criminal prosecution and liability in 2010-2021 years. In the 3 years since the diversion program was completed, only 9% of them have committed a crime, which is a testament to the success of the projects. During the visit to Italy, the Minister of Justice of Georgia will deliver a speech at two more sessions of the Ministerial. Rati Bregadze has already held a meeting with his Italian counterpart. Face-to-face meetings are planned with the Ministers of Justice of Hungary, Armenia and Azerbaijan.