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Criminal Justice Reform Interagency Coordinating Council

On the basis of the decree of the President of Georgia No. 591 of December 13, 2008, the Interagency Coordinating Council for Criminal Justice Reform was established, which was renewed in May 2014. In particular, the composition of the Interagency Coordinating Council implementing the reform of the criminal justice system was determined by the resolution No. 316 of the Government of Georgia dated May 1, 2014 and its regulations were approved. According to the resolution, the Council includes representatives of all three branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial), the Public Defender, as well as representatives of non-governmental and international organizations. The Council is chaired by the Minister of Justice of Georgia.

The main tasks of the Coordinating Council are:

  • Development of relevant proposals, recommendations, concepts and draft laws regarding the reform of the criminal justice system, taking into account the principles of the rule of law and the protection of human rights;
  • Development, periodic updating and monitoring of the criminal justice system reform strategy and action plan;
  • In order to facilitate the implementation of relevant measures in the process of developing the criminal justice system reform strategy and action plan, coordination of interagency activities;
  • Development of the annual report on the implementation of the criminal justice system reform strategy and action plan;
  • Preparation of relevant proposals and recommendations in order to resolve issues related to the areas of penitentiary, probation, juvenile justice and legal aid at the expense of the state.
  • The analytical department of the Ministry of Justice performs the function of the secretariat of the Interagency Coordinating Council, and the Council is headed by the Minister of Justice.

The Secretariat provides technical and administrative support to both the Council and working groups. The Secretariat is authorized to monitor the activities provided by the strategy action plan. Progress reports are prepared by the Council Secretariat based on the information provided by the members of the working groups according to the directions of the reform. In addition, the Secretariat, in cooperation with the members of the working groups, prepares reform monitoring framework documents for each direction.