A nine-member constitutional court represents one of the three main branches of government and arbitrates constitutional questions, treaties, referenda, elections, and jurisdictional disputes. Prison conditions remain abysmal, and domestic and foreign human rights groups say abuse of detainees is widespread. In May and July, the parliament voted to repeal reforms in the criminal procedure code that had been slated to go into effect in mid-May. The amendment replaced nearly half of the new code, which would have ensured detainees access to the courts before trial to redress abuses by the law enforcement authorities and security forces during criminal investigations. In May, President Shevardnadze ordered the release from prison of the leader of the now-disbanded national guard, Tengiz Kitovani, along with about 100 other sick and elderly inmates.
Corruption is endemic and reaches all levels of government.
Senior officials have been accused of such crimes as embezzlement, smuggling, insider trading, and conflict of interest. Customs and tax evasion is rampant. Sheverdnadze suggested stripping parliamentary deputies of their immunity and creating a special anticorruption committee under his personal leadership. Women are generally respected in this traditionally male-dominated society. The constitution recognizes the equality of all citizens without regard to gender.