Human Rights In Gori District

Gori office of the Human Rights Center gave floor to the discussion on human rights violations. The discussion was organized in the framework of the projects - Human Rights House Tbilisi and South Caucasus Network of Human Rights Defenders; representatives of local NGOs, civil society and media participated in it. 

Local human rights defenders monitor protest demonstrations and manifestations to prevent human rights violations. For example, two protest demonstrations were organized in Gori lately; the first was organized by the Public Movement “NO” to support the local TV-Company; patrol police officers fined the driver of the mini-bus which brought rally participants from Tbilisi to Gori. Human rights defenders from Gori admitted that they had breached the traffic rules. The second protest demonstration in Zeghduleti village ended with the quarrel between local population and police officers; two persons were detained during the demonstration for the resistance, who were later released under fine. Besides that, Gori office coordinator of the Human Rights Center Saba Tsitsikashvili said Gori police officers often take local young people to police stations and intimidate them.

65 private property owners have sued the state in Gori district so far. Most suits are about tax debts; however, they also complain about oppression on the business. Local political scientist Shalva Tlashadze said very often people do not try to defend their rights; and in similar situation human rights defenders will not achieve success in the protection of the victimized people.

The discussion on human rights issues will continue in Gori; the human rights defenders will continue monitoring of police officers’ activities during the protest demonstrations and special reports will be prepared on it.

Goga Aptsiauri, Radio “Liberty”