Abuse in Prison

Massive Abuse in Gldani Prison no. 8

Torture of an underaged prisoner in Gldani no. 8 filmed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ1qcbLeCsY&noredirect=1

It has for years been clear, that torture is beeing used by prison staff in Georgia. It has been reported by international organizations, georgian organizations and the ombudsman himself. It has all been ignored.

Now a video, obvious evidence, came out, and finally the georgian population reacted. The minister in charge has resigned, prison director fired and all prison guards suspended, replaced by police. This was after the first protests, and luckily the protests are still on going. Let's hope the georgian people don't take their eye of this issue now, when it finally has come to light in such clear way, before it is truly resolved. Which I don't think can happen, until there is a regime change. Those in charge who has ignored it, with knowledge for years, are not the once who can change it. In fact, I want to go so far as to say, a person who knows that something so horrible is going on, and ignores it, is as guilty as the one who performs it. And I will dear myself out on shaky grounds, and claim, that in fact, this has been the policy of the government, it is not only been ignored by them, but it has come from them. They have always talked "hard on crime" and jailed more then 99% of those put on trial, and when they also has known about the torture and not done anything, for me it is enough indicators, that it is the president himself who has wanted it this way!

Human rights are so important. It is not to be ignored, as simple as that. It is every countries duty to ensure that they are followed at all levels in their countries. It is universal, not to be disputed and debated, it is absolute. It is so sad, always, to read about any breech of human rights, no matter how systemized or small. But this report from Tbilisi, Georgia, where the one torture episode I linked to originally lasts 1,5 hour, of an underaged boy, in a jail, preformed by prison staff, on orders from the highest of the politicians, it is understandable that a whole country is in shock. We are all crying. We are all feeling a little bit of this boys enourmous pain within us. We all sympatize with him, support him, and will do our effort to spare him and others from more.

Reading about how Georgia is on a regular bases carrying out their tourture with blessings, and for years, is devastating. The whole world unites behind the common georgians protest against this system, and their demand for change. We are crying with you georgians, a better Georgia is needed. When we read reports back to 2006 where several murders are carried out in Georgian prisons, when we know the facts from the ombudsman about 140 deaths in 2011, 56 of the bodies showing clear evidence of torture. When we read medical report after report blaming "heart attack", which all knows comes after heavy torture, but is not the cause of death, we do see the cover up. When we read signed petitions from several hundred inmates of the conditions in the prisons. When we hear the news of monthly murders this year in their prisons. We see evidence upon evidence of this catastrofic system. It must be changed, and it must be the georgian people who demands it and make sure it is carried out.

There are voices criticizing the timing, and they are right. It has been known for long, probably filmed a while ago, and it is fist now, days before an election that it is released. The other side of it is however, that it HAS been known for years, and if their president, Misha, would have wanted to do something, he would already have taken action himself. It is understandable in my opinion, that people want to publish it now, of two reasons, in front of an election it can't be ignored (and they were right, Misha is now "trying" to do something, but not nearly enough) and I also think they have a point when it is used to get people to vote differently, a regime who has ignored it can't fix it, a new regime is needed, so yes, people should vote for a new direction. But, let it be clear, I totally agree with the critical voices, that it is much more important than to only be used for political gain. It is horrible, much should have been done already, and everything in such a case much be done as quickly as possible. I also condemn, if people have waited to publish, but there are strong reasons to understand their argument.

The conclusion is: Torture in Georgian prisons are common, it has been going on for years, and ignored by the sitting government. Human Rights are too important to be ignored, it must be respected and implemented. It is same on the government for ignoring this breech for years, but also critisism of people who has hung on to evidence for selfish purposes. Breech of human rights must be delt with as soon as possible. But this makes also a critisism of the georgian people who should have known, from the reports, for years, and should have protested before. And in my opinion, the things the government has said, signals towards hardship on crime, their record of 99% of trials end in convictions, and their ignoration of the reports before, makes it clear, it is Misha's Georgia who has implemented this system, and wanted it this way, the blame is fully on the entire government. The action following the conclusion must therefore be, the people must continue protesting, continue careing about this issue, don't stop till the system is changed, but also, which might be wrong for a foreigner, lead to big voter tournout (those who doesn't want approve of the sitting government and this system, SHAME on you!) and that the votes be casted for CHANGE.

It has been drawn to my attention, both by english writing georgian media and by georgians I speak with, that many "opposition" parties will vote with the government anyways, and those who doesn't has many "bad" people on their lists, not new, fresh and for change people, but Shevernadze people on new lists. I understand, it is few good alternatives, but what georgian people need to do, is to send a signal. Vote for change, cast your votes and demand a change, and if those are not good as is said already, then change THEM again with next election. Bad sitting politicians, must be told, we don't want you anymore, and with that let's hope there will grow up a new youth, and new movement, with politicians with morals and values, with principals, that will take Georgia to freedom and properity. But you MUST vote for change, so a change can have a chance of happening (the leader might be able to guide these old "bad" people in better direction then last time around), but most of all, you must vote, sitting at home is just support of this torture, then you will be guilty yourself! We pray with you, Georgians!