On October 25, 2016, representatives of the Public Defender's Samtskhe-Javakheti regional office and members of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) met with representatives of non-governmental organizations and lawyers working in the field of criminal justice in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.

The main purpose of the meeting was to get information about the use of excessive force by police and the rights situation of the detainees. In addition, the representatives of the Public Defender's Office briefed the participants of the meeting of the Public Defender's mandate and activities.

Difficulties faced by lawyers, specific cases, the problem of providing information to a detainee about his/her rights and charges during the detention, access to a lawyer and violation of the interrogation procedures were discussed at the meeting.

The Department of Prevention and Monitoring of the Public Defender's Office checks the situation and treatment of the detainees, prisoners or persons whose liberty had been otherwise restricted in order to protect them from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Similar meetings have already been held in the Kakheti, Samegrelo, Imereti, Racha Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti regional offices of the Public Defender and will be held in other regions as well.