It is common knowledge that at present the situation at Georgian isolators is very grave. Isolator 5 stands out against a background of other isolators, as far as even those common rights -- to take a breath of fresh air for an hour daily, to have definite floorspace and not be physically punished -- are violated here.

Our organization demands from the authority, the international and local organizations for human rights to pay attention to this question, examine the existing situation themselves and take measures in support of the creation of common conditions of human rights at Tbilisi isolator 5 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.

Those persons and organizations who are interested in this question should know the exact place of prisoners' torturing - the fifth floor at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia. Though there are some difficulties to examine and prove it, it is quite easy to become convinced of the fact, that air is the greatest deficit at isolator 5. This fact, which has become the source of different diseases, seriously threatens prisoners' health.

The investigation, which is held under physical pressure, will never result objectively.

Our demands: To change isolator 5 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in accordance with the standards stipulated by law. If it is impossible to change the isolator because of technological reasons, it should be closed or converted into a place of pretrial detention, where detainees should not stay for more than several days.

Our organization asked the ripresentations of international humanitarian organizations in Georgia to render assistance to the Samtredia boarding school for difficult children and the Etsera children's home.

October 24, 1996

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bieder
Swiss Agency of Development and Cooperation
Division of Humanitarian Aid and Swiss Disaster Relief Unit
Tbilisi, Georgia

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bieder:

Our organization thanks you greatly for the assistance you have rendered to the Samtredia boarding school for difficult children and the Etsera children's home.

When the representatives of our organization visited the above mentioned establishments, we were shocked with the state of these children. They had neither clothes, nor shoes, to say nothing of food-stuffs. Their building was on the verge of destruction that caused our indignation. Thus we decided to look for a sponsor, who would be able to help these children. You were one of those organizations, along with the United Methodist Committee on Relief who provides them with milk, who helped them with clothes, shoes, underclothes, and even balls.

As far as we know, you are going to help the administrations of the above mentioned establishments to repair the buildings.

We want once more to thank you and the organization you represent in Georgia for this humane action.

We wish you great successes in your noble activities.

Respectfully,

Nana Kakabadze
Member of the Board