The News in Brief
Friday, April 12, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Public Defender Urges Parliament to Safeguard Georgia's Constitutional Goals Amid 'Russian Law' Concerns
The Public Defender of Georgia responded to the 'Russian law' proposed by Georgian Dream, stating that the legislation's goal-to enhance transparency in foreign aid and accountability among receiving organizations-is legitimate. However, achieving this objective should not entail disproportionate interference with the right to association or dignity. The Public Defender suggested achieving the goal through alternative changes in current legislation.
"The Constitution of Georgia mandates that constitutional bodies must take all measures within their powers to ensure the full integration of Georgia into the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
This imperative should be especially taken into account, given that, in relation to the freedom of association and expression, as well as the right to privacy, similar arrangements reflected in the legislation of other countries have been evaluated negatively by esteemed bodies such as the European Court of Human Rights, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the OSCE/ODIHR, the Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner, the Venice Commission, and the UN Special Rapporteur.
Accordingly, in the opinion of the Public Defender, Parliament should refrain from adopting any legal acts that may endanger the implementation of Georgia's constitutional aspirations," the statement reads.
President Zourabichvili Affirms Tbilisi's Dedication to Freedom, Art, and European Values
President Salome Zourabichvili, addressing attendees at the Tbilisi Contemporary Art Fair, underscored Tbilisi's unwavering commitment to freedom, artistic expression, and European principles.
She stressed the vital connection between freedom and artistic expression, affirming that art cannot thrive without liberty.
Zourabichvili reiterated Tbilisi's commitment to freedom and declared that Tbilisi will always be free, art will always be free, and Georgia will always be European, underscoring the country's unwavering commitment to its European aspirations.
"I would say that this breeze of freedom that exists here is very important for today's Georgia. Culture is nothing but great freedom. There is no art, no culture where there is no freedom.
I want to congratulate you all on today's day, today's freedom, and I know that Tbilisi will always be the host of such extraordinary events. Because Tbilisi will always be free, art will always be free, and Georgia will always be European," Zourabichvili said.
Public Defender Urges Parliament to Safeguard Georgia's Constitutional Goals Amid 'Russian Law' Concerns
"The Constitution of Georgia mandates that constitutional bodies must take all measures within their powers to ensure the full integration of Georgia into the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
This imperative should be especially taken into account, given that, in relation to the freedom of association and expression, as well as the right to privacy, similar arrangements reflected in the legislation of other countries have been evaluated negatively by esteemed bodies such as the European Court of Human Rights, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the OSCE/ODIHR, the Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner, the Venice Commission, and the UN Special Rapporteur.
Accordingly, in the opinion of the Public Defender, Parliament should refrain from adopting any legal acts that may endanger the implementation of Georgia's constitutional aspirations," the statement reads.
President Zourabichvili Affirms Tbilisi's Dedication to Freedom, Art, and European Values
She stressed the vital connection between freedom and artistic expression, affirming that art cannot thrive without liberty.
Zourabichvili reiterated Tbilisi's commitment to freedom and declared that Tbilisi will always be free, art will always be free, and Georgia will always be European, underscoring the country's unwavering commitment to its European aspirations.
"I would say that this breeze of freedom that exists here is very important for today's Georgia. Culture is nothing but great freedom. There is no art, no culture where there is no freedom.
I want to congratulate you all on today's day, today's freedom, and I know that Tbilisi will always be the host of such extraordinary events. Because Tbilisi will always be free, art will always be free, and Georgia will always be European," Zourabichvili said.