Non-Governmental Sector opposes Georgia’s Justice Minister
Thursday, October 25
“Certain high officials of Georgia have recently made a number of statements aimed at discrediting the leaders of non-governmental organizations working in the most important areas for the democratic development of Georgia, such as monitoring of elections and performance of state institutions, prevention of corruption and protection of human rights,” the statement reads.
The Public Defender reminds the authorities of the international obligations imposed by the United Nations the OSCE, the Council of Europe and other international organizations on states to promote the activities of human rights defenders.
Lomjaria noted that the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders adopted in 1998 recognizes the right of everyone, individually and in association with others, to submit to governmental bodies and agencies criticism regarding the issues that may hinder the realization of human rights and to protest against any such state policy. The Declaration obliges states to ensure the protection of individuals against any pressure, retaliation and discrimination as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the Declaration.
According to the OSCE Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, states and officials have an obligation to refrain from any acts aimed at defamation and insulting campaigns, discredit and personal attacks against human rights defenders and their activities.
The Ombudsman says that despite the above-mentioned obligations, representatives of the Georgian authorities compared the NGO's activities in Georgia to fascist organizations.
The Public Defender of Georgia considers that such an attitude is inadmissible and threatens the process of democratic development of Georgia.
Lomjaria expressed her support to all the organizations, which have been devotedly working for years to establish high standards of human rights in Georgia and called on the Government to be guided by the internationally recognized democratic standards.
Statement of Public Defender is an answer to the speech made by the Minister of Justice of Georgia Thea Tsulukiani at the Anticorruption Conference in Copenhagen on October 23, 2018. During the conference, Thea Tsulukiani accused Eka Gigauri, Executive Director of Transparency International Georgia, of contributing to the crackdown of the peaceful rally on November 7, 2007, and it is not the first time when minister openly criticizes the NGOs.
Georgian NGOs have many times called on the government to dismiss Tsulukiani, as they believe that judicial system needs fundamental reform and she is the main obstacle to this.
“It is completely unacceptable that a governmental official would use their platform at International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) to attack our chapter or any other civil society organization. It is clear that the defense of civil society space is essential for strengthening democracy and combating corruption,” said Delia Ferreira Chair of Transparency International.
Besides the fact, that such a direct attack on NGO sector can pose threat to Georgia’s democratic values in society, as the trust toward the civic society can disappear in Georgia because of the statements from public officials, it also harms the country’s image on the international arena.