Diplomatic Missions in Georgia Call for Decisive Action to Protect LGBTQI+ rights
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, UN Georgia and EU delegation, as well as the Head of EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) and Embassies of 28 countries, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, issued the joint statement expressing regrets that as in previous years, safety and security concerns prevent people from openly displaying their solidarity with the he lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) community.
“On the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), we reiterate our solidarity with community in Georgia. LGBTQI+ persons remain among the least protected and most marginalized in Georgia. They face discrimination and violence, which often are underreported, while the protection and realization of their rights remain a challenge.
We regret that as in previous years, considerations of safety and security prevent people from openly showing their solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community and raising their voices against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in Georgia.
We wish to stress that the Government of Georgia is responsible for safeguarding the right to peaceful assembly, preventing discrimination and violence, and ensuring that everyone in Georgia can commemorate IDAHOBIT openly and publicly in full confidence that their rights and safety are duly protected.”
The diplomatic corps focuses on the events that took place in Tbilisi on July 5 last year and calls on the authorities to prosecute all instigators and perpetrators of violence.
“We take note that several individuals were sentenced to prison terms for their involvement in the shameful events of 5 July 2021 that led to the disruption of the March for Dignity and resulted in violence against LGBTQI+ persons and the media. We urge the authorities to bring all instigators and perpetrators of violence to justice.”
The signatories also note that the growing number of Georgian citizens supports diversity and believes that the protection of the rights of LGBTQ + individuals is important.
“A recent survey points towards a continued increase in the percentage of Georgians who consider restrictions of the right to assembly and expression for LGBTQI+ communities unacceptable and believe that the State does not respond adequately to acts of violence and discrimination against the LGBTQI+ persons.”
The statement emphasized that the state policy and practice must align with Georgia’s international commitments and respond to these social changes by duly ensuring that LGBTQI+ rights are effectively protected, including through the forthcoming National Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan. Enhanced social protection measures are needed to support vulnerable LGBTQI+ persons struggling with food and housing insecurity, an elevated risk of homelessness and barriers in accessing healthcare.
Diplomatic Corps urged Georgian state, political, civic and religious leaders to spare no effort to fight discrimination, stigma and violence within their respective areas of responsibility, including by embracing respectful and compassionate public discourse and engaging in constructive dialogue with LGBTQI+ communities in seeking solutions to the most pressing challenges.
“We stand united for the right of all people to live free and equal in safety and dignity and remain committed to supporting the people of Georgia in building an inclusive society that empowers and protects all its members.”
Public Defender has also issued a statement emphasizing the insufficient efforts of the state to reduce inequality. According to the Ombudsman, LGBTQI+ people and their supporters have not been able to celebrate this day publicly for years due to the risks of violence and the lack of state protection guarantees.
The Ombudsman emphasized that the issue of timely, effective and accountable investigation of hate crimes is a significant challenge. The state has not yet developed a unified strategy to combat hate crimes, and the state response to homo/transphobic crimes still fails to meet standards of efficiency, timeliness, and impartiality.
The Ombudsman also recalls July 5, 2021, when leaders and other members of far-right groups directly and publicly called for violence against members of the LGBT+ community and their support, and the police were not adequately effective in curbing violence.
“Although the visibility of the LGBT + community has increased over the years and discriminatory attitudes in the society have decreased, this process is not accompanied by a consistent and sensible state policy. Moreover, state legal inaction encourages inequality against LGBT + people. It leaves their quality of life vulnerable to violence and discrimination.”
Recall that on the day of the fight against homophobia and transphobia, in 2014 the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Georgia declared the Family Purity day. This year, an icon of the All-Holy Mother of God of Atskuri was brought to the Sioni Temple from Kashveti to celebrate this day. Prior to the procession, the co-patriarch, reverend Shio, paid his respects. Before that, a service was held in Svetitskhoveli, from where the procession with icons started in the direction of Tbilisi.
The same day, the US embassy issued a security alert, rging U.S. government personnel are to exercise caution, avoid large demonstrations, and not participate in any events outside of official duties. Embassy wrote that it has received multiple reports of groups calling for demonstrations and marches on may 17 across Tbilisi against the LGBTQI+ community.
“These groups have indicated they will remain on the streets ‘until dark’ to prevent the LGBTQI+ community from gathering in celebration of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia. They also indicated that if, in their patrol of neighborhoods, they witness any LGBTQI+ gatherings, marches, or celebrations, they will physically confront the individual(s) or groups involved, remove signs and banners, and remove the LGBTQI+ participants from the streets.”
