United National Movement Party to Interpellate Minister of Internal Affairs Over Shovi Tragedy
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
The United National Movement party has announced its intention to summon the Minister of Internal Affairs, Vakhtang Gomelauri, through interpellation regarding the Shovi tragedy.
In a statement released by the party, Tina Bokuchava, the chairperson of the United National Movement parliamentary faction, has already submitted a letter to the legislative body.
According to the UNM leader Ani Tsitlidze, the government's unwavering opposition to establishing an investigative commission underscores suspicions of concealing information related to the Shovi tragedy. Notably, the Minister of Internal Affairs is one of the high-ranking officials with a direct responsibility and obligation to address these inquiries, particularly after having made statements at the scene. Tsitlidze stated that both the public and the families of the victims are entitled to clear answers concerning specific aspects of how this tragedy might have been averted.
Based on their information, the UNM has formulated the following questions to be addressed to the Minister of Internal Affairs concerning the Shovi tragedy:
"Under the provisions of Article 43, Clause 2 of the Constitution of Georgia, and Article 149 of the Regulations of the Parliament of Georgia, we are directing the following questions to you through interpellation:
1. A fundamental aspect of effective mitigation against human casualties resulting from landslides and other natural disasters is the establishment of a suitable national monitoring and early warning system. In 2021, during the presentation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs' ten-year plan, you stated, 'An early warning SMS system will be introduced, which will notify subscribers in a dangerous area about an actual or potential threat.' Could you please explain why this mentioned warning system was not implemented, despite your assertion and the statements made by other high-ranking government officials, which suggested that such a system could have played a decisive role in preserving lives during the tragedy that unfolded in Shovi on August 3, 2023?"
2. The landslide event in Shovi unfolded on August 3, 2023, approximately at 15:00. Based on information accessible to the public and accounts from eyewitnesses, the pertinent authorities initiated rescue operations three hours after the incident. What led to the delay in commencing the search and rescue operation?
3. According to the Prime Minister of Georgia, during the execution of the search and rescue operation following the Shovi disaster, the authorities did not find it necessary to seek assistance from neighboring states. In your capacity as the Minister of Internal Affairs, overseeing entities such as the Emergency Situations Management Service, could you elaborate on the specific actions taken and their respective or collective efficacy that led to this decision, in collaboration with other pertinent government officials?
4. What is the current state of the rescue equipment within the Emergency Situations Management Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and how well does it align with international standards? Additionally, what types of search and rescue helicopters does the state possess, and do they feature modern communication and navigation systems, including equipment for night vision capabilities?
5. Through Decree No. 2632 of 2015, the contract GG-B-UCL concerning the grant offered by the United States Government to the Government of Georgia for the "Acquisition of two HUEY II search and rescue helicopters" was ratified. However, this contract was subsequently revoked on November 11, 2016, by Decree No. 2363 issued by the Government of Georgia. What circumstances prompted the state to retract the plan to acquire two search and rescue helicopters ("HUEY II") under a grant arrangement? Were the Ministry of Internal Affairs and its officials involved in the decision-making process, and could you provide the official stance of the Ministry on this matter?" read the party's statement.
