3. Ministry of Internal Affairs 3.1. Monitoring methodology The present document represents a report on the monitoring of the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs carried out by the Special Preventive Group in 2019. The Special Preventive Group updated its monitoring tools and methodology in 2019 and received information about the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs from more diversified sources. The data and assessments provided in the report are based on the following sources: interviews of members of the Special Preventive Group with detainees,189 staff of temporary detention isolators190 and lawyers;191 statistical information provided by temporary detention isolators and administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and written and verbal communication with the Public Defender's Office; online questionnaires filled in by lawyers;192 information provided by non-governmental organizations; data available in the Public Defender's Office; information officially published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on-site observation in the facilities and documentation of the facilities, including medical information. In November and December 2019, the Special Preventive Group conducted monitoring visits to 26 police divisions, 4 police departments and 14 temporary placement isolators. The monitoring visits were carried out in Kakheti region, Imereti, Racha Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti regions; Guria region and Autonomous Republic of Adjara. The monitoring also involved observation of situation and work process in police facilities and temporary placement isolators. The report describes facts and circumstances in full compliance with the principle of confidentiality. The documents obtained within the framework of the monitoring, as well as the reports of the members of the monitoring group are kept in the Public Defender’s Office. 3.2. Implementation of recommendations The National Preventive Mechanism offered 17 recommendations in its 2018 report, which were aimed at improving the conditions of detention and preventing torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading 189 Interviews were conducted with 38 detainees. Interviews were conducted with 3 staff members of the temporary detention isolator. 191 Interviews were conducted with 4 focus groups of lawyers (Kakheti, Imereti, Guria and Adjara). 192 The Public Defender’s Office had fruitful communication with the Georgian Bar Association and NGOs working in the field of human rights. In particular, with the technical assistance of the Georgian Bar Association, a special online questionnaire was sent to the members of the Association. In addition, NGOs, such as the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association and the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Centre (EMC), provided information about the cases of alleged ill-treatment committed under police control to the Special Preventive Group. The Public Defender of Georgia thanks the Georgian Bar Association and NGOs for their cooperation. 190 71