Special Statement of Public Defender of Georgia on Events Occurring in the Country

Public Defender of Georgia expresses his concern on latest developments in the country. In particular, notwithstanding the attempt of the parties to cohabitate, several regrettable instances were pointed out after the parliamentary elections.
 
It is apparent, that the emerging high polarization of the political circles leads to negative attitudes in the society. Despite the fact that I, as a Public Defender of Georgia perceive various positive developments, I would like to mention that more frequent expressions of hate speech on different grounds became obvious lately. Violence on both - religious and political grounds has taken place. That is supplemented by ongoing processes in local municipalities throughout Georgia. In certain instances the calls for violence and acts provocating artificial tension were also detected.
 
I consider the aforesaid situation and tensed relationship between two main political forces to threaten the democratic development of the state and sustainability of state institutions. I, as a Public Defender of Georgia, call each public servant or authority to realize their duties and responsibilities and also address social and political groups to attach special caution to the forms of expressing their even radically differing views.

It is essential to take all necessary measures aiming to avoid the development of the existing situation into a large scale divergence. The political processes should be reverted to a dialogue format. The prior duty of government and both political forces is to ensure the security and democratic progress of the country.

All political forces, the representatives of civil society, each citizen of Georgia despite their diverse political or other views should strive to solve existing problems in a civilized manner in order to avoid possible future confrontation, violence and expression of hate speech, which might threat the common security and advancement of democratic processes.

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