Human Rights Center Condemns Repressions against the Mini-Bus Drivers

The Human Rights Center perceives that the facts of persecution and arrests of mini-bus drivers represent grave violations of civil rights. Particularly alarming is the imprisonment of the drivers during the period of February 25-28 while they were on a hunger strike.

According to Human Rights Center, approximately 15 drivers have been detained by now. The Court imposed 30-day imprisonment against most of them late at night during 01:00-03:00 am interval.

According to one of the organizers of the protest rally Lasha Chkhartishvili, following drivers of #10 mini-bus line are detained and imposed with 30-day imprisonment: Gia Maziashvili, Merab Kankia, Ruslan Kankia, Gela Gelashvili, Badri Khurtsilava, Lauri Maisashvili, Melor Gamkrelidze and Mikheil Isitashvili.

The imprisonment of the drivers proceeded after the February 25th protest rally held at the Rose Square. Supposedly police had decided to neutralize the activists who planned to hold another protest rally for February 28th.

By using the repressive means of such gravity Georgian government deprives its citizens of right to strike by means of police power. This process is particularly alarming when the existing situation in this sphere and Georgian Labor Code are strictly criticized by international human rights organizations, USA and EU representatives.

Several days ago, Jack Vogt, a lawyer of the US Trade Unions stated at the press conference held in the central office of Georgian Trade Union Confederation (GTUC) that the Labor Code does not ensure the prevention of groundless dismissal of employees. The fundamental right such as right to strike is violated, he stated. The existing legislation practically neglects the corresponding right, according to him.

The recent events demonstrate that Georgian citizens are deprived of right to strike not only by legislation, but in practice too.

Besides, it is alarming that most of the mini-bus drivers were detained on February 25th at the protest rally or after the rally when it was revealed who was more actively involved in the organizing of strike. Thus Police gravely violated the fundamental rights and freedoms of expression.

Human Rights Center condemns the facts of persecution and imprisonment of mini-bus drivers and calls on the government to release illegally detained citizens.

Since the repressions against the drivers are continuing Human Rights Center addresses the diplomatic corpus accredited in Georgia and international organizations to pressure government to eradicate the facts of mass violations of human rights.

Human Rights Center
02.03.11