**Georgia’s Public Defender Speaks Out Against Plans to Dismantle Special Investigation Service**
The government of Georgia, led by the ruling Georgian Dream party, is proposing a significant change to the country’s law enforcement structure. A draft bill would dissolve the Special Investigation Service (SIS), an agency tasked with investigating crimes committed by police officers and other officials. However, the Public Defender’s Office has strongly objected to this proposal.
According to Tatuli Todua, a representative of the Ombudsman’s Office, the SIS should not be abolished but rather strengthened. She emphasized that the service plays a crucial role in responding to crimes committed by law enforcement agencies, which have been a persistent problem in Georgia. “For a very long time, the response to crime by law enforcement officials remained a serious problem and challenge in Georgia,” Todua said.
The Public Defender’s Office is concerned that transferring the SIS’s responsibilities to the Prosecutor’s Office would undermine the agency’s independence and effectiveness. Todua noted that ongoing investigations into crimes committed by police officers within the framework of the Prosecutor’s Office have been inadequate, with a lack of institutional independence.
**Why Abolish the SIS?**
The draft bill proposes to fully dissolve the SIS and transfer its responsibilities to the Prosecutor’s Office. The agency would absorb the SIS’s ongoing investigations and future responsibilities. However, this move has raised concerns among human rights advocates and experts.
Todua pointed out that the SIS was created in 2022 as an independent investigative body under the Association Agenda between the European Union and Georgia. Its mandate was to probe violent crimes and ill-treatment by officials independently and effectively. However, the agency has been criticized for lacking independence and showing negligence in some cases.
**A History of Controversy**
The SIS has faced criticism for its handling of high-profile cases, including investigations into police brutality against protesters. Despite numerous complaints and allegations of human rights violations, no police officers have been charged or held accountable for their actions over the past year.
The Public Defender’s Office is urging lawmakers to reconsider the draft bill and instead strengthen the SIS to ensure it can effectively investigate crimes committed by law enforcement officials. This move would be a significant step towards promoting transparency, accountability, and human rights in Georgia.
**What’s Next?**
The draft bill has been reviewed in its first parliamentary reading, but the full implications of dismantling the SIS remain unclear. The Public Defender’s Office will continue to advocate for the preservation and strengthening of this critical agency.
As Georgia navigates a period of democratic decline and increasing tensions with the international community, it is essential that the government prioritizes human rights and accountability measures. By retaining and strengthening the SIS, lawmakers can take a crucial step towards promoting justice, transparency, and trust in law enforcement agencies.
Read More @ civil.ge
