**Parliament Introduces Changes to Penitentiary Access Rules**
The Georgian parliament has proposed changes to the rules governing Members of Parliament’s access to penitentiary facilities. According to the new regulation, an MP will only be allowed to enter a penitentiary facility once without special permission, with the prior consent of the Speaker of Parliament.
**Limiting Unnecessary Visits**
The change was introduced in response to the frequent visits by United National Movement members to meet with former President Mikheil Saakashvili during his imprisonment. Shalva Papuashvili, a senior MP, explained that the regulation was clarified to prevent misinterpretation and misuse of the existing rules.
**Preventing Abuse**
Papuashvili stated that the previous situation had been abused by members of the former president’s team, who were using their visits as an excuse for “rendezvous” instead of legitimate oversight. The new regulation aims to put an end to such abuses and ensure that MP visits are conducted in a transparent and legitimate manner.
**Changes Take Effect in 2025**
The new regulation is set to come into force on July 1, 2025. Upon its enactment, the current regulation adopted in 2018 will be declared void. This change reflects the Georgian parliament’s efforts to improve the existing rules and ensure that they are not misused for personal or political gain.
**Commentary**
The proposed changes to the penitentiary access rules demonstrate a shift towards greater accountability and transparency within the Georgian parliament. By limiting MP visits to once without special permission, the new regulation aims to prevent abuses of power and ensure that oversight is conducted in a legitimate manner.
**Deeper Analysis**
This change highlights the ongoing efforts by the Georgian parliament to address issues related to parliamentary conduct and ethics. The new regulation reflects a desire to maintain the integrity of the institution and prevent the misuse of existing rules for personal or political gain.
The fact that the Speaker will retain the authority to access penitentiary institutions without special authorization, while MPs will only be allowed to enter once with prior consent, suggests a nuanced approach to balancing oversight with security concerns. This change may have implications for future parliamentary procedures and the way in which MP visits are conducted.
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