Discussion Cases on Property Rights in Strasburg Will Damage Reputation of Georgia Abroad

Ana Sheshaberidze

On March 11, the meeting organized by the political union “Georgian Group” in Sheraton Metekhi Palace” was devoted to human rights. The representatives of Georgian human rights defenders, EU and Public Defender’s Office attended the meeting.

They paid more attention to the issues of property rights. They discussed one concrete fact of property seizure. More precisely, Omar Makharadze attended the meeting, who had his property confiscated in Gonio. His lawyer Emzar Paksadze spoke about violations of the law, which were made during the confiscation.

Jondi Baghaturia, the head of “Georgian Group” underscored the active work of Georgian human rights defenders and stated that, human rights are in better condition now: “I want to say that unless your fight for human rights, the situation could have been worse and heavier in the country”.

According to the MP, fundamental right - property right should be ensured, which determines the social and economical condition of the country- “the state where the property right is not protected, white capital will not be imported and investments will not be made; free business and economic will not develop and consequently, we will not have correct and fair social policy”.

Omar Makharadze who lives in Batumi had his property confiscated without warning. Makharadze bought the plot in the village of Gonio in 1999, where he built hotel in 2005-2007. The details of the case were published several days ago on the www.humanrights.ge see: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=article&id=4738&lang=en 

Omar Makharadze’s lawyer talked about the violations in the case materials; more precisely – the violation of property right and right to fair trial. According to him, they had no chance to prove that his client had no connection with Emzar Kvitsiani. There are no documents in case materials which could prove that Emzar Kvitsiani is ally of Omar Makharadze.

Jondi Baghaturia stated he will inform chairperson of the parliament Davit bakradze about the fact. Makharadze had already petitioned to Bakradze. The MP offered the participants of the meeting to use his mandate in parliament for any initiative – it would be legislative or other initiative.

The participants stated it was not first fact and human rights non-governmental organizations should also take part in solving this kind of problems. The representative of the Article 42 of the Constitution – member organization of the South Caucasus Network of Human Rights Defenders expressed wish to study the case materials on Makharadze.

The attendees mentioned that if the suit is sent to Strasburg Court, it will damage reputation of Georgia abroad.

Jondi Baghaturia informed US Ambassador to Georgia John Bass about this concrete case. The ambassador introduced his annual report to the leaders of all political parties in Georgia; his report describes human rights situation in Georgia.