Ruling team mobilizes thousands to celebrate ‘achieving’ presidency of CoE Committee of Ministers
By Nika Gamtsemlidze
Monday, December 16
Members of the ruling party and their supporters gathered in the middle of Tbilisi to celebrate the Georgian presidency of the CoE Committee of Ministers. The celebration was attended by thousands of people, but as some say, they were mobilized by the authorities.
Since the day of the announcement of the celebration, many claimed that the government was mobilizing people to attend the celebration with ‘illegal ways.’
The public defender also issued a statement regarding the pressure that the media reported. The statement reads that the public defender’s representative talked to citizens in regions who confirmed the reports about pressure from the government.
Specifically, according to the information obtained from the regions of Kvemo Kartli, Shida Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kakheti, Samegrelo, Guria, Imereti and the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, employees of kindergartens, public schools and music schools - non-commercial legal entities founded by local self-governments - were allegedly subjected to direct or indirect pressure and coercion in connection with participation in the rally that was held in Tbilisi on December 14.
They were allegedly given hints about future problems in the workplace in case of refusing to participate in the rally.
“Forcing citizens to take part in any rally or event against their will and direct or indirect hints about their dismissal in case of refusal contain signs of a crime,” reads the statement of the public defender.
The fact that most of the people attending the event weren't aware of what the celebration was about, deepens the concerns. Some went as far as saying that they were “celebrating Georgia becoming a part of the EU.”
Some people thought that Georgia’s presidency was the achievement of the ruling party, praising them for the country’s development.
Leaders of the Georgian Dream addressed their supporters and talked about the ‘Georgian Democracy’. As the Chairman of the party, Bidzina Ivanishvili noted, the government managed to create European democracy in a few years.
Ivanishvili also talked about the challenges that the country faces, including occupation. He once again said that “besides poverty,” the Georgian Dream’s inheritance from the previous government included occupation and authoritarianism.
According to Ivanishvili, Georgia has ‘an amazing democracy,’ like it never had before.
Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia also addressed people, talking about government achievements. As he said, the relations between Europe and Georgia is at an all-time high. He talked about visa-free travel and economic relations with the EU.
He also talked about the detention of Georgian doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili by the occupation regime. As he noted, it is ‘unfair’ that a person who crossed the occupation line with a kind will, has to be in this situation today.
Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze once again expressed his support towards Gaprindashvili’s family and talked about the importance of Georgian-European relations.
Georgian presidency of the CoE Committee of Ministers was announced a few weeks ago. The Presidency of the Committee of Ministers is held for a six-month term in turn by the representatives of the members in English alphabetical order. The Presidency is transferred to a new President in mid-May and mid-November, at a date fixed by the Committee based on a joint proposal by the incoming and outgoing Presidents.
President makes sure the rules and guidelines are respected, guides discussions, put proposals to the vote and announces decisions.
