Throughout the reporting period several meetings were held with the Minister of Corrections and other representatives of the Ministry on particular problems existing in the penitentiary system and on activities carried out for the purpose to fulfill certain recommendations of the Public Defender. The NPM was actively involved in the activities within the working group of the Interagency Council against Torture and Ill-treatment. 2.2.2. DIALOGUE WITH DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS In 2016, the NPM had active communication with diplomatic missions and international organizations in Georgia as well as abroad. The Public Defender and representatives of the NPM were participating in different forums and meetings held under the aegis of international organizations. The following events need to be outlined: • On March 17, 2016, Deputy Public Defender Natia Katsitadze delivered a speech at the 31th  Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, where recommendations, provided to Georgia by the Working Group of the Universal Periodic Review in November 2015, were discussed. She emphasized the necessity of creation of an independent investigative mechanism, which will investigate cases of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment in penitentiary facilities. • From 29 November to 2 December, 2016, Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili, Deputy Public Defender Natia Katsitadze and EU Project Manager Levan Meskhoradze held bilateral meetings with representatives of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Committee against Racism and Intolerance, the Office of the European Commissioner for Human Rights  and other representatives of the Council of Europe during their working visit to the French city of Strasbourg. • Throughout the reporting period, the Public Defender held regular meetings with the international organizations and diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia and discussed, inter alia, issues related to the existing situation in the closed type institutions. • Head of the Department of Prevention and Monitoring had a regular meetings and communication with representatives of diplomatic corps and international organizations. 2.2.3. PUBLIC RELATIONS The provision of information concerning the human rights situation at the places of deprivation of liberty to the public remains one of the priorities set by the NPM. This objective is achieved through the publication of after-visit, special and annual reports, organizing various events, meetings and via media. 8 HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN CLOSED INSTITUTIONS