One of the priority directions of the Ministry of Justice is further improvement of access to state services for citizens. For this purpose, the Minister of Justice and his deputies visited Khashuri. By the end of the year, the population of Khashuri will be able to use up to 470 services of the Public Service Hall.

"Today we introduced a number of pleasant news to the people of Khashuri. First of all, the Public Service Hall, the construction process of which is completely renewed. By the end of the year, the user will have the opportunity to receive all types of state services in one space in a comfortable environment, already available throughout Georgia. In Khashuri, we have also introduced Probbox, which will further contribute to the re-socialization of the offenders. In addition, we have opened the space of mediation, which is important for the development of restorative justice in Georgia", said Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze.

Under the initiative of Rati Bregadze, the construction of Khashuri Public Service Hall has moved to a new stage. The work is going on intensively and is being continued by the new company.

A new branch of the Public Service Hall will be added to Khashuri municipality by the end of the year, and 18 persons will be employed in the Service Hall. In addition to the service hall, a wedding-ritual space with a modern interior will be arranged in the new branch. The building will also house the offices of the LEPLs operating in the sphere of governance of the Ministry of Justice, which until now have been operating in an outdated infrastructure.

Rati Bregadze also visited the new mediation space opened in the Khashuri Probation Bureau, where the needs of the mediation process are fully taken into account. All necessary conditions for communication and negotiation are provided for the parties. In a properly equipped space, it will be easier for mediators to fulfill their duties. Until now, there was no space for mediation in the region, which is why it was necessary to find another space to conduct the process.

Mediation serves to end the existing conflict between the perpetrator and the victim. It is based on the principles of restorative justice and is people-oriented, involving all persons affected by crime, identifying and meeting their needs.

The Ministry of Justice actively actively uses the mediation mechanism. It is an alternative form of juvenile criminal responsibility, which offers offenders to engage in rehabilitation and reintegration into society instead of imprisonment; The successful operation of the mediation mechanism is indicated by the fact that in 2021, 596 appeals for the allocation of a mediator were registered, of which the mediation process with 389 children in conflict with the law was successfully completed.

Currently, mediation spaces are operating in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Khashuri; By the end of the year, it will also be opened in Ozurgeti.

Today, the innovative technological device PROBBOX created for probationers was placed for the first time in an alternative space, apart from the Public Service Hall - in the administrative building of the Khashuri municipality's town hall. The technological device integrates all the services for which the probationers had to pay visits to the probation offices.

Probbox services include: employment offers, information on revocation of probation, submission of an application for relief, communication with a probation officer and booking a video appointment with a convicted person.

Probationers can use Probbox in 7 municipalities at the moment. After Batumi, Kutaisi, Tbilisi, Telavi, Gori and Zugdidi, the device is also available in Khashuri municipality; Gradually, it will be distributed throughout the country.

Rati Bregadze met with his Portuguese counterpart within the framework of the Ministerial of Justice Ministers of EU Member States in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. First Deputy Minister, Tamar Tkeshelashvili was also present at the meeting.

The Ministers of Justice of the two countries discussed concrete initiatives for deepening bilateral relations, including in the fields of electronic services and development of electronic government. The conversation also touched on the process of harmonization of Georgian legislation with EU law.

In addition to the Minister of Justice of Portugal, Rati Bregadze held meetings with the Ministers of Justice of Germany, the Czech Republic, and Greece. In addition to sectoral topics, the topic of discussion with the ministers of justice of the EU member states was the European perspective of Georgia.

Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze was in Prague to participate in the ministerial meeting of EU member states. One of the discussed topics was the improvement of cooperation in the field of criminal justice.

Ministers of Justice of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine also attended the ministerial meeting.

Rati Bregadze continues to hold bilateral meetings with the ministers of justice of EU member states within the framework of the current ministerial in the Czech Republic. The Minister of Justice of Georgia met today his Greek counterpart.

Rati Bregadze spoke with Kostas Tsiaris about the importance of international relations and expressed hope that the sectoral cooperation between the Ministries of Justice of Georgia and Greece will further deepen.

The parties talked about the possible directions of continuing the relationship.

The Minister of Justice of Georgia proposed to his Greek counterpart to sign a memorandum of cooperation between the Ministries of Justice of Georgia and Greece.

"I am sure that the memorandum will create an excellent platform for further strengthening of our cooperation and will open doors for new initiatives", said Rati Bregadze.

Strengthening international cooperation is a priority direction of the 10-year strategy of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia. Since launching the strategy in 2021 to the present, memoranda of mutual cooperation have already been signed with the ministries of justice of Turkey, Israel, Hungary, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Switzerland, and Indonesia.

The ministers of justice of the two countries discussed prospects of deepening mutual cooperation at a meeting organized within the framework of the conference of ministers of justice and internal affairs in Prague.

The cooperation between Georgia and the Federal Republic of Germany will become more intensive in the field of civil and criminal law in the direction of managing and organizing a modern penitentiary and probation system; Rehabilitation and re-socialization programs will be implemented in penitentiary and probation systems; The Georgian side will share the German experience in the field of juvenile justice; German experts will be involved in the process of harmonizing Georgian legislation with EU law.

Minister of Justice of Germany invited Rati Bregadze to Berlin for an official visit.

Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze is in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, to participate in the ministerial meeting of EU member states. Ministers of Justice of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine are also attending the conference.

A Ministerial Meeting of the ministers of justice of the EU member states was held in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, in which the Ministers of Justice of Georgia, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova participated as well. One of the issues discussed by the Ministerial was cooperation in the field of criminal law and exchange of information between countries by electronic means.

Rati Bregadze noted that Georgia has a very good experience of cooperation with EU member states in the field of criminal law. The format of cooperation includes both bilateral relations and active participation in joint crime fighting activities organized within the framework of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (EUROJUST).

According to Rati Bregadze, Georgia is ready to conduct cooperation with EU member states by electronic and digital means, which is provided by Georgian legislation and relevant infrastructure. In particular, electronic signature and documentation exchange platforms with digital means have been actively used in Georgia for years. This kind of practice exists within the framework of cooperation with many states in the field of criminal law, and if there is a willingness on the part of the EU states, Georgia will actively participate in the initiative of implementing cooperation through electronic means.

Effectiveness and strengthening of e-services have become even more relevant in the light of recent global crises in the world. It was during this period that it became necessary to create additional tools for electronic communications and services in the field of mutual legal assistance in criminal cases with non-EU countries.

The meeting of Rati Bregadze and Pavel Blazek was held in Prague within the framework of the Ministerial Meeting of EU member states, in which the delegations of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova participate as well. The Ministerial is discussing issues of deepening cooperation in the field of criminal law. At the event, Rati Bregadze will deliver a speech about Georgia's achievements and prospects in the field of electronic communication.

The Minister of Justice of Georgia offered his Czech counterpart concrete initiatives for deepening bilateral relations. The discussion touched upon the preparation of a memorandum of cooperation between the Ministries of Justice of the two countries, which will contribute to the process of convergence of Georgian legislation with EU law. For this purpose, Rati Bregadze and Pavel Blažek discussed the possibility of exchanging experts between the two countries.

At the meeting, possible directions for deepening mutual cooperation were also discussed, including e-governance and e-services; Organization of joint conferences, seminars and employee exchange programs.

First Deputy Minister of Justice, Tamar Tkeshelashvili and Ambassador of Georgia to the Czech Republic, Mariam Rakviashvili also participated in the meeting of the Ministers of Justice of the two countries.

Bilateral meetings with the Ministers of Justice of Germany and Greece are also planned.

Deputy Minister of Justice, Tornike Cheishvili spoke at the event about the positive trends reflected in the CPT monitoring document. It was noted that according to the report of the European Committee, there is a positive and calm relationship between the staff of the penitentiary institutions and the prisoners, and that the delegation did not receive information about any facts of improper treatment of the prisoners by the prison staff.

Tornike Cheishvili also spoke about the CPT's evaluation of the healthcare system of the penitentiary service and noted that the committee considers the treatment of communicable diseases in penitentiary institutions to be quickly and easily accessible, and gives a particularly high rating to the practice of managing COVID, as a result of which, despite the pandemic, it was possible for prisoners to maintain contact with the outside world.

As for the recommendations recorded in the report, according to the Deputy Minister, some of them have already been considered and reflected in the 10-year strategy of the Ministry of Justice. In particular, a new strategy for managing sports in the penitentiary system has already been approved, sports fields have been renovated; the Digital University program was launched. In order to eliminate the existing challenges at the legislative level, active work is already underway on the new Imprisonment Code, which will be presented to the Parliament of Georgia in the autumn session:

"A relevant inter-departmental group, a new imprisonment code, and the activity of the indicated work platform will be focused on the fact that any issue that may be acute in practice today, will first of all be eliminated at the legislative level," said Tornike Cheishvili.

The review of the monitoring report carried out by the CPT in Georgia was organized by the Public Defender of Georgia and was attended by representatives of state agencies, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, international organizations and the diplomatic corps.

"LIBER AMICORUM - Mindia Ugrekhelidze 80" - is the name of the book, which tells the reader about the life and work of distinguished Georgian lawyer, academician Mindia Ugrekhelidze. The presentation of the book was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the scientist.

Documentary and archival material presented in the book, in addition to biographical details, reflect the recent history of the Georgian state and law. Together with the turning points in the history of diplomacy and the development of various branches of Georgian legal science, the book revives the path that was opened for Georgia in the European legal space after gaining independence. Mindia Ugrekhelidze was the first Georgian judge of the European Court of Human Rights and one of the founders of Georgia's legal cooperation with this leading institution of the Council of Europe. At various times, he was the Chairperson of the Supreme Court of Georgia, a member of the World Association of Lawyers, the International Association of Criminal Law and the Venice Commission, as well as an expert of the Tbilisi political school operating in the Council of Europe since 2009.

Today, Mindia Ugrekhelidze continues the development of Georgian legal science as an advisor to the Minister in the Ministry of Justice. He is the editor of the Ministry's bilingual scientific journal - Iustitia, the goal of which is to develop science-based legislation and deepen academic discussion on legal issues. The famous scientist actively participates in the law-making process in attracting scientific potential, which is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Justice. Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze spoke about the importance of this cooperation at the presentation of the book.

"Mr. Ugrekhelidze played one of the leading roles in the construction of the modern Georgian legal state; He is the educator of several generations of Georgian lawyers and leaves an indelible mark on the development of Georgian law. The first judge of the European Court of Human Rights directly participated in the formation of European values, and we can confidently say that Mr. Mindia Ugrekhelidze is the embodiment of a person who is "Georgian and, therefore, European". We were always honored to receive advices from Mr. Mindia Ugrekhelidze. I want to congratulate you on your anniversary and wish you all the best," said the Minister of Justice.

The book was prepared for publication by Professor, Beka Kantaria of the Caucasus International University. The presentation was organized by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia and supported by the Caucasus International University. The event was attended by members of the executive, legislative and judicial authorities; representatives of scientific circles; as well as students of Mindia Ugrekhelidze.

On July 5-6, 2022, the Georgian delegation, under the leadership of Deputy Minister of Justice, Beka Dzamashvili, presented to the United Nations Human Rights Committee the 5th periodic report of Georgia on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Georgian party provided comprehensive information to the UN Human Rights Committee after hearing the previous periodical report - about the legislative and institutional reforms carried out by the state from 2014 to the present day, which are aimed at the effective provision of human rights in Georgia and the timely fulfillment of international obligations.

At the meeting of the Committee, the delegation of Georgia focused on the challenges of human rights protection in the occupied territories of Georgia. The members of the Committee were provided with detailed information on the historical decisions made by the European Court of Human Rights and the International Criminal Court in the Hague, which legally confirmed the fact of the Russian Federation's occupation of the territories of Georgia and their responsibility for the violations committed during the 2008 war.

The Georgian party also provided the members of the Committee with information on the reform of the judicial system; on the steps taken to strengthen the penitentiary system and law enforcement agencies; on anti-corruption measures; on ensuring freedom of expression and assembly; on electoral reform; on enforcement of anti-discrimination legislation; on the reforms carried out by Georgia to eliminate violence against women and ensure the protection of the rights of children and persons with disabilities.

Within the framework of the discussion, the Georgian delegation also answered the questions of the members of the UN Human Rights Committee on current issues in Georgia in terms of human rights protection. It is significant that the UN Human Rights Committee has positively assessed the mechanisms introduced by Georgia to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the UN monitoring bodies. After the discussion, the recommendations of the Committee will be sent to the Georgian delegation in writing, and the report on their implementation will be sent in 2024.

The Georgian delegation included representatives of the following agencies of executive, legislative and judicial authorities:

The Government administration;

The Parliament;

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

The Ministry of Internal Affairs;

The Ministry of IDPs from Occupied Territories, of Labor, Health and Social Protection;

Office of the Minister of State in Matters of Reconciliation and Civil Equality of Georgia;

The Supreme Council of Justice;

Tbilisi City Court;

The General Prosecutor's Office;

The State Security Service;

The Special Investigation Service;

The Personal Data Protection Service;

The Central Election Commission;

The National Communications Commission.

The 5th periodic report was prepared and sent in writing in 2020 with the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and the involvement of other state agencies.