Amnesty International is concerned that the Georgian authorities are failing in their duty to ensure effective protection the children placed in alternative care at the Ninotsminda boarding school, in the mountainous region of Samtskhe-Javakheti.

“Georgia’s authorities must ensure safety of all the children in the Georgian Orthodox Church-run Ninotsminda boarding school amidst allegations of child abuse including sexual violence. All allegations must be thoroughly investigated in line with international standards safeguarding the best interests of the child.

Pending the investigations, authorities should ensure immediate removal of either alleged perpetrators or the victims from the present environment”, - writes AI.