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Human Rights in Georgia after the “Rose Revolution”

December 13, 2004

Human Rights in Georgia after the “Rose Revolution”
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

On December 10, the international day for human rights Human Rights Information and Documentation Center (HRIDC) held a presentation of the report “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back”. The report describes the existing situation in the field of human rights in Georgia after the “Rose Revolution”.

According to Ucha Nanuashvili, Executive Director of HRIDC during this year the new government managed to implement certain positive changes: the totalitarian regime in Adjaria, historically a region of Georgia, has been changed; several significant legislative changes have been done among which is the Georgian Law on Freedom of Expression that was adopted by the Georgian parliament in June, 2004; the Patrol police, which has been created by the new government already enjoys sympathy from within society; salaries and pensions are paid regularly; Public services have been improved in the capital of Georgia (such as public transport) etc.

According to HRIDC the objective of the Report is to bring the facts of human rights violations before the public and to inform the government as well as society about indicators for most recent tendencies in the field of human rights violations during the current year. HRIDC wants these facts to pave the way for a just society to openly discuss and analyze.

It is said in the Report that the recent legislative and constitutional changes, which have challenged a republican-style balance of power, are of particular concern.

It is noteworthy that President and officials’ statements on law enforcement encourage lower officials to violate basic rights and may lead to an increase in the already existent and excessive use of violence by the police.

In the Report concrete facts are given about human rights violations – depriving right to life, arbitrary detentions, torture and increasing number of political prisoners. During the presentation special attention was drawn to the fact that occurred On November 22, 2003 the day before the Rose Revolution, when two “GTR” vehicles were responsible for the death of two people whilst patrolling the street to defend the former president’s residence. The criminal has not yet been punished.

It is also stated in the Report that persecution of Chechen refugees, their disappearance takes place; right of Assembly and Manifestation is violated; independent NGOs are often ignored and pressure is being exercised on them.

It is noteworthy that despite the fact that representatives of the government were invited to the presentation of the report but none of them showed up at the presentation.

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