The international conference on 'The Role of Restorative Justice in Criminal Matters - Towards a Community Needs-Centered Justice System', organised by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia and the General Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia with the support of the Council of Europe, UNICEF and the European Union, was held on 12-13 October 2023 in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. 

The Conference was attended by many countries and international organisations and the CJP was represented by Mr Veli ÜNAL, Rapporteur Judge of the Foreign Affairs and Project Bureau.

The conference focused on the alternative mechanisms for juvenile criminal prosecution and the restorative justice, examples of best practices in this field, approach of UNICEF to the related developments, perspectives on the development of alternative mechanisms for criminal prosecution and restorative justice for adults, and Georgia's progress in this regard, as well as the works of the European Forum for Restorative Justice, the implementation of the Venice Declaration and roles of the judges, prosecutors and lawyers in these matters.

The conference provided an opportunity to have contact with notably Mr Irakli Shotadze, the Chief Public Prosecutor of Georgia, the representatives of UNICEF, representatives from various countries and institutions, and several experts in their respective fields. Moreover, certain consultations were held on possible developments in the practices of our country, especially in terms of investigation and prosecution of children, and further contacts were planned with the UNICEF Turkey in order to evaluate the steps that could be taken in this regard. In addition, other participants were informed about the judicial system of our country and the structure and functioning of the CJP.