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Report of the South Caucasus Network of Human Rights Defenders – Situation of Human Rights Defenders in Georgia,

December 12, 2012

On December 10, at the Hotel Courtyard Marriott, South Caucasus Network of Human Rights Defenders held a press-conference with regard to International Human Rights Day and presented report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders. Representatives of Human Rights Center and Article 42 of the Constitution as well as recently elected Public Defender of Georgia Ucha Nanuashvili attended the presentation.

This report- Situation of Human Rights Defenders in Georgia – January, 2012 to October, 2012 - is published as part of a joint report of South Caucasus Network of Human Rights Defenders, which covers situation of human rights defenders in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

According to the report, high-profile defenders working in the capital (Tbilisi) enjoy more protection because they have access to a diverse media climate and international networks. In regions outside of Tbilisi, HRDs continue to experience harassment and violations of their human rights. These violations remain underreported. In addition, the authorities' responses to human rights violations are often inadequate. The absence of proper investigations speaks to the government’s disinterest in upholding the rule of law, particularly when it perceives that it might stand to lose from it.

Human rights lawyers, investigative reporters and defenders of minority rights have identified specific constraints that limited their advocacy during 2011-2012. Human rights lawyers continue to face serious problems working in a court system controlled by an executive branch that is generally uninterested in responding to human rights violations. Investigative reporters, primarily those who work in the regions outside the capital, have been harassed and threatened.

The report is followed by concrete recommendations to national and international bodies. South Caucasus Network of Human Rights Defenders hopes leaders of new government of Georgia will closely cooperate with nongovernmental organizations and consider their recommendations including the recommendations listed in the report.

The South Caucasus Network of Human Rights Defenders unites 30 human rights NGOs in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The Network seeks to facilitate creation of a safer and enabling environment for human rights defenders in the South Caucasus and to strengthen their voices in the region and internationally. The establishment of the Network was supported by the EIDHR program.

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