Campaign "This Affects You-We are still listened to” continues -protest in Rustaveli Avenue

 Maka Shamugia 

On December 19 This Affects You held demonstration in the Rustaveli Avenue. They spread posters on the pavements from the parliament building to the Opera House. 

In this way participant CSOs protested the law adopted by the parliament on secret surveillance, according to which MIA still control illegal surveillance is. Campaign "This Affects You” continues struggle for the introduction of European model of surveilance in the country. 

"Model, which was adopted by the Parliament, is faulty. With this action we again underline the negative aspects of the law and the slogans on our posters also indicate at it. In addition, we plan to prepare constitutional lawsuit. Lawyers have already started working on it. In the nearest future we will announce content of the lawsuit and time when it will be submitted. We also work on a new model, which will be reflected in the law as amendments. We intend consultations with political parties and state institutions about it,” said Zviad Devdariani, head of CiDA. 

With the slogans on the banners, activists of the Campaign "It Affects You" tried to remind the society why secret surveillance in accordance to the current edition of the law is unacceptable. 

"In general, our fight is committed to end illegal surveillance and eavesdropping of people. This fight did not start today or yesterday. We were actively involved in the preparation of the bill and have achieved a number of positive changes in this regard, but the main reason-not to violate the rights of citizens and protect them from illegal tapping, unfortunately, was not achieved yet. The law still contains a provision which allows the Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct surveillance without control. Campaign "It Affects You" will continue until this norm is cancelled,” Aleko Tskitishvili, Executive Director of Human Rights Centre, said. 

The protesters held posters with the following slogans: "MIA - Your faithful attorney" "Uncontrolled hearings legalized"; "We can protect secret - MIA"; "We hear you better than others- MIA”; "Hear our voice - do not listen to us.” The protesters tried to present their views about the issue to general society and government officials.