Interpresnews
The new restriction drafted for the Law on Leaving the Country by Georgian Citizen fully complies with the Constitution of Georgia. The intended draft-amendments to the Law on Departing from and Arriving in Georgia by Georgian Citizens”, according to which a citizen of Georgia might be refused to leave country, to issue passport, to extend validity of the passport, to cross border due to state and public security interests.
Current edition of the law refuses citizens of Georgia to implement all aforementioned procedures if the “person is sought by law enforcement bodies or provides fake or invalid documentations.”
“Nothing new is added to the law by introducing the new provision “Protection of State and Public Security Interests”. We copy paste the norm from the Constitution and thus the legislation fully meets the requirements of the Constitution. If during the case discussion, parliament decides that it is necessary to add more clarifications, we are ready to discuss it,” one of the authors of the draft-law MP Irina Imerlishvili told Interpresnews.
In accordance to the Article 22 of the Constitution, Everyone legally within the territory of Georgia shall be free to leave Georgia. A citizen of Georgia may freely enter Georgia. These rights may be restricted only in accordance with law, in the interests of securing national
security or public safety, protection of health, prevention of crime or administration of justice that is necessary for maintaining a democratic society.