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UN Human Rights Committee Calls upon Georgian Government to Promptly Investigate Acts of Harassment against Journalists

November 2, 2007
UN Human Rights Committee expresses concern that acts of harassment against journalists in Georgia have not been properly investigated by the State Party, pursuant to the concluding observations and recommendations published on October 30 by the Human Rights Committee in regard to the report submitted by Georgia.

The State Party should guarantee freedom of speech and of the press and other media, ensure that complaints in this regard are promptly investigated, and perpetrators are prosecuted and punished, the Human Rights Committee reminds the Georgian government.

The Human Rights Committee is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by its State parties.
The Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) responded to the document published by the Human Rights Committee.

In compliance with the statement of October 31 GYLA shares the positive assessment made by the Committee in connection with the progress made in this field. At the same time GYLA as a domestic human rights watchdog accedes to the Human Rights Committee on the observed problematic issues the Georgian State Party is due to address promptly and properly.
“Effective mechanisms against torture” - set up legislative and procedural mechanisms for extradition, deportation and transfer in order to avoid torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of the detainee.
“Fight against violence” - activate governmental bodies against domestic violence in order to carry out effective investigation and protection of the victims (setting up safe houses for those abused).

“Right to life, abusing one’s power,” – the Committee directly requests to conduct an immediate and efficient investigation into the detention of suspects during special operations and the abuse of power in the penitentiary system in previous years. GYLA agrees with the Committee and demands to conduct an immediate investigation of the events in Detention Establishment # 5 in 2006. Correspondingly, it is necessary to train the employees of the penitentiary department.
“Human treatment” – The Committee is deeply concerned over the considerable number of prisoners in the Penitentiary System and concludes that the government must resolve that problem immediately.
“Independent and impartial judiciary free of corruption” - the Committee indicates at the essential problem of the biased judiciary and considers it is necessary to implement constitutional amendments; as well as an adequate and immediate response to any kind of accusation.

Source: Media.ge


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