The Committee discussed and approved the Package of the Legal Changes on Capacity Building of the Special Investigation Service, and Personal Data Protection Service in view of the fulfillment of the EU recommendations.

According to the Chair of the Committee, Anri Okhanashvili, the changes are to be introduced to the laws on these two agencies.

“The effective communication of the high officials of these agencies with the Parliament shall be ensured under a clear norm, guaranteeing a strict determination of the rule of the hearing of these officials by the Committee. A new record is to be introduced to the Rules of Procedure providing the officials of these agencies with a direct assignment to, upon a request, appear at the Committees to introduce their positions. The changes intensify the subordination of the Special Investigation Service, namely, the authority granted to the Prosecutor’s Office in case of the violation of the Convention shall now be delegated to the Investigation Service. Besides, the subordination shall be extended in terms of certain articles if these articles concern the abuse of authority and if these articles are revealed by the Investigation Service. The changes increase the social protection guarantees of the officers of the Personal Data Protection Service and envisage the opportunity to grant special titles thereto, which further can be converted into the increased salaries, indemnifications and mandatory insurance”, - he added.

Prior to the introduction of the package, A. Okhanashvili introduced the outcomes of the Working Group set up in this view.