First of all it is notable that the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) welcomes the readiness of the government to de-concentrate the excessive power, existing at the hands of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and to create institutionally and functionally separate state security service.
It is important to further note that instead of the fragmented amendments, it is necessary to elaborate the uniform concept of the MIA reform, which should be based on the vision, elaborated in consensus between the state and the civil society, in the dialogue format with the representatives of the society; the civil society must have adequate time and possibility to actively engage at all stages of the reform. If the MIA reform is limited to only separation of the security services from the Ministry – the reform cannot be considered comprehensive and adequate in the face of existing realities.
As for the creation of the security service and related issues we would like to note the following: if we consider that the security service has a potential to violate the universally recognized human rights and basic freedoms, it is of utmost importance for any changes in this regard to be based on needs and challenges, as well as the comprehensive analysis of the international practice and experience.
See GYLA’s offers regarding the concept in the attached file.
