Web Portal on Human Rights in Georgia

The U.S. Embassy in Georgia recently called on that country to conduct the parliamentary elections scheduled for October of this year in the “fairest possible campaign environment.” The U.S. also restated its commitment to help Georgia in that endeavor.  There is nothing particularly unusual about this statement which could have been made in reference to elections in numerous countries with varying degrees of democracy and freedom.  The question which this raises is whether or not he U.S. knows how, or has the tools, to make elections fairer in Georgia or other similar countries.

Georgian Trade Unions made a legislative proposal to provide medical insurance for students of higher education. The draft law envisages free medical insurance for students of all three phases of higher education. Government and governing party National Movement blocks proposal.

Residents of Iormuganlo village in Sagarejo district refused to accept 30-GEL vouchers [Georgian government’s initiative to distribute 30-GEL vouchers among farmers to fertilize and to cultivate their plots] in protest. The local population protest sale of agricultural land and pastures in the village. They petitioned to the President of Georgia, where they threatened with extreme forms of protest unless their petition is satisfied.