Georgia Follow-up to the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur (Manfred Nowak) in the report of his visit to Georgia in February 2005 (E/CN.4/2006/6/Add.3, paras. 60-62) 22. By letter dated 22 November 2011, the Special Rapporteur sent the table below to the Government of Georgia, requesting information and comments on the follow-up measures taken with regard to the implementation of the recommendations. He expresses his gratitude to the Government for providing detailed information on steps taken during the reporting period. 23. The Special Rapporteur takes note of the report of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention following the country visit to Georgia from 15 to 24 June 2011, and the report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), on its visit to Georgia carried out from 5 to 15 February 2010. 24. The Special Rapporteur is encouraged by efforts made by the Government to reduce the risk of ill-treatment and excessive use of force by the police at the time of apprehension, interrogation and transfer of detainees. He calls upon the Government to strengthen the procedural safeguards during the arrest, interrogation and transfer of detainees by inter alia ensuring proper registration of suspects at the time of apprehension and access to a lawyer of their choice. 25. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the Action Plan for the Prevention of Torture and other Cruel or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Georgia and the objectives set therein for the period of 2011-2013, takes note of the establishment of Inter-Agency Coordinating Council Combating Ill-treatment (The Council), its new Strategy on Fight against Ill-treatment and looks forward to receiving its respective Action Plan and Evaluation Report for 2010-2011. 26. The Special Rapporteur remains concerned about the low number of initiated criminal prosecutions of cases of torture and other ill-treatment allegedly committed by public officials implicated in colluding on, or ignoring evidence of, torture or illtreatment and expresses concern that their names have neither been disclosed to the public nor to the Public Defender. The Special Rapporteur highlights the importance of ensuring public acknowledgment of the plight of the victims, including the facts and acceptance of responsibility and public apology. 27. It is imperative to expedite prompt, impartial and thorough investigations into allegations of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and launch timely prosecutions and conclude them without delay, where the evidence warrants it. 27 27 See also para 98.e A/HRC/19/57/Add.2, 27 January 2012. Report of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Mission to Georgia. 57 A/HRC/19/61/Add.3 28. The Special Rapporteur received reports indicating that detainees refrain from filing complaints out of fear of reprisal. There is no protection afforded by the State to victims of torture. He calls on the Government to introduce independent, effective and accessible complaints mechanisms within all places of detention by installing telephone hotlines or confidential complaints boxes and ensure that complainants do not suffer any reprisal.