Koka Katsitadze participated in the Annual meeting of the Independent Oversight Authorities Network held in Strasbourg

Koka Katsitadze participated in the Annual meeting of the Independent Oversight Authorities Network held in Strasbourg

Head of the Special Investigation Service, Koka Katsitadze, participated in the 8th annual meeting of the Independent Police Complaints Authorities’ Network (IPCAN) held in Strasbourg.

The Special Investigation Service officially became a member of the Independent Police Complaints Authorities’ Network (IPCAN).

The international network brings together independent oversight mechanisms and ombudsman institutions of England and Wales, France, Belgium, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Spain and other EU member states.

The main goal of the international organization is to strengthen the members, protect the fundamental rights of citizens and ensure the rule of law through the coordinated actions of the member institutions.

The annual meeting was dedicated to the introduction of the network’s new members - Georgia, Poland and Slovenia, strengthening cooperation and considering the joint declaration on the recommendations to ensure the protection of citizens' rights and effective oversight of the use of police force.

During the meeting, Koka Katsitadze stressed the importance of joining the international network as a step forward to strengthening the Service. He also expressed his willingness to share the experience and to establish close partnerships with counterpart institutions and to participate in the network’s joint events.

“According to the Association Agenda 2017-2020 between the European Union and Georgia, the country took committed to implementing effective reforms to combat ill-treatment and official misconduct. Thus, the main mission of the Special Investigation Service is to strengthen and elevate human rights in the country, to establish guarantees for the protection of victims of ill-treatment, to ensure timely and independent investigation, to inspire the public perception that citizens are protected from excessive, disproportionate and illegal use of force by law enforcement officers and at the same time to promote the strengthening of the law enforcement system, its further development and its functioning”- Koka Katsitadze announced it at the annual meeting in Strasbourg.

The 8th annual meeting of the Independent Police Complaints Authorities’ Network (IPCAN) was held on May 23, 2023, in Strasbourg, France, and was chaired by the French Human Rights Defender and IPCAN Chairman Mrs. Claire Hedon.

The representatives of independent oversight and investigative bodies of France, Belgium, Denmark, England and Wales, Ireland, Slovenia, Poland, and Slovakia as well as the Deputy Head of Special Investigation Service Natia Songhulashvili and Head of International Relations Department Natia Pirashvili attended the meeting.