Prepared by Messenger Staff
NGO Coalition My Vote Highlights Repression Against Civil Servants
The coalition of non-governmental organizations My Vote has issued a statement condemning what it describes as systematic repression against civil servants in Georgia. The organization asserts that recent dismissals from state agencies are demonstrative and punitive measures aimed at silencing dissent.
According to Nino Lomjaria, a representative of My Vote, employees from 20 state agencies have been dismissed for political reasons. She outlined several factors behind the dismissals:
- Civil servants signed petitions advocating for the protection of Article 78 of the Constitution.
- They participated in protests.
- They publicly criticized state violence against peaceful demonstrators, including on social media.
Lomjaria noted that reorganization, contract non-renewal, and biased application of public servant evaluation systems are being used as tools for these dismissals.
"Since late December, public service employees have begun to speak out about illegal dismissals, deliberately low performance evaluations, and other forms of harassment due to their opinions. The methods, timing, lack of justification, and scale of these actions suggest they are deliberate punitive measures," Lomjaria stated.
She also emphasized threats made by Georgian Dream leaders Irakli Kobakhidze and Kakha Kaladze against officials who criticized the party's decision to suspend European integration efforts.
The coalition has called on stakeholders to address these alleged violations and ensure accountability for what they describe as targeted political retaliation.
Personal Data Protection Service Denies Claims of Civil Servant Dismissals
The Personal Data Protection Service has issued a statement refuting allegations made by the Independent Professional Union of Public Servants, Article 78 of the Constitution, regarding the dismissal of a civil servant. The agency asserts that no civil servant has been fired since its establishment on March 1, 2022, nor has any employee under a short-term labor contract been dismissed before the end of their agreement.
The statement addresses what the agency calls "disinformation" spread by the union and amplified by media outlets.
"We announce that the Personal Data Protection Service has not fired any civil servant since its establishment. Additionally, all short-term labor contracts for auxiliary and non-permanent tasks, including expert work, were honored without premature termination," the agency stated.
The service described the allegations as a "deliberate attempt to damage the reputation of the agency" and emphasized that the claims are unfounded.