E/CN.4/2006/6/Add.3 page 11 institutions without prior permission. In addition, the Chairperson of the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee of Parliament has informed the Special Rapporteur that she undertakes regular visits to places of detention. The Special Rapporteur also notes information that joint visits by the National Security Council, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the General Procurator’s Office and the Public Defender are envisaged. While these mechanisms may contribute to a degree of prevention of torture and ill-treatment, as they currently function they demonstrate a number of shortcomings, primarily widely differing mandates; lack of overall coordination among them; lack of a regular and systematic programme of visits, including regular follow-up; lack of investigatory powers; lack of adequate resources; and lack of independence, particularly in the case of the council appointed by the President. III. CONDITIONS IN DETENTION 40. The Special Rapporteur isolated the practice of torture and ill-treatment in Georgia from the generally deplorable conditions of detention he found. A. Facilities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs 41. Following arrest suspects in police stations are then transferred to temporary isolators for a period of up to 72 hours. 42. On 22 February 2005, he visited the Vake-Saburtalo District Police Station, Arakisvili Street, Tbilisi, and the Vake-Saburtalo Police Station No. 2, Vaza Pshvala Street. At the District Police Station, the Special Rapporteur met with the duty officer, Mr. G. Rogava. He noted that the register of detainees was well kept, and that while there was a central register of cases for the district, there was no similar register of arrests. There were two empty cells, of approximately 1.5 x 2 m, each with a wooden bench, but without lighting or toilet facilities. According to the registers most persons were detained for two to three hours prior to transfer to the temporary isolator of the Tbilisi Head Department of Internal Affairs. At Vake-Saburtalo Police Station No. 2, the Special Rapporteur met with the station chief, Mr. A. Eloshvili. The facility was undergoing renovation at the time. One of the detainees interviewed said that he was well treated, informed of his right to a lawyer, was able to inform his family and, despite the renovations, was in relative comfort. 43. On 24 February 2005, the Special Rapporteur visited the temporary isolator of the Tbilisi Head Department of Internal Affairs, where he met with the duty officer, Mr. K. Khakhishvili, and the deputy chief of the isolator, Mr. F. Chankvetadze. Although many of the allegations of ill-treatment received by the Special Rapporteur specified that it took place in cells in the upper floors of the building, the staff indicated that there were no such cells, only offices. Eight interrogation and 14 detention cells were examined. The cells were very cold, damp, dark and filthy. Only four of the detention cells had beds, whereas the others had only raised wood-panelled floors for detainees to sleep on. Blankets were the only bedding provided. Each cell had a latrine separated by a waist-high partition. No toilet paper or washing facilities were available in the cells. There were no allegations of ill-treatment by the detainees interviewed. However, the conditions of detention were very poor.