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Hard Lost Elections: 93 people registered in one flat!
May 7, 2008
Overcoming “innovative” vote rigging? The pre-election campaign, as it was already predicted, is heating up and getting tenser. The opposition actively complains about less than a level playing field and attempts to rig up-coming parliamentary elections. The Central Election Commission (CEC) has introduced amendments to the Election Code in response to many complaints. However, the changes have only impacted the opposition in some ways. This begs the question as what will be final impact of the recently adopted amendments. Will there be any difference between the parliamentary elections and other rigged elections? Will election be fraud and what frauds can be expected?
Duisi Resident Has Disappeared
May 6, 2008
Relatives of Davit Gaurgashvili, a resident of the village of Duisi in the Pankisi Valley applied to the Human Rights Center for help. Davit Gaurgashvili has been missing for eleven days already. On April 26 he arrived in Tbilisi by mini-bus and intended to travel to Rustavi. Gaurgashvili was last seen at the Isani Auto Station.
A Forced Meeting with the National Movement
May 6, 2008
“Social conditions have improved but we shall do much more. You have gas, the problem of drinking water is being solved, and the Healthcare Program has been implemented the most intensely in Kakheti. The streets are illuminated; many problems have been solved and we shall solve more”- addressed Davit Bakradze, Koba Subeliani, Gigi Tsereteli, Gia Roinishvili, Nugzar Tsiklauri and Khatuna Ochiauri, the leading MP candidates of the National Movement to Kakhetian voters.
Member of National Movement Seeks Closure of Newspaper
May 6, 2008
Marina Utiashvili, member of the United National Movement, initiated to close down Kakheti based regional newspaper “Imedi”. The representative of the leading party officially stated that the newspaper is one that is always looking for violations and it should not exist.
Head of the Election HQ of the United Opposition Detained in Tsalenjikha
May 6, 2008
On May 4 2008 officers from the Tsalenjikha District Police Department detained Davit Belkania, the head of the local Election HQ of the United Opposition in front of his house. Later, he was taken to Zugdidi for drug test. Since the test showed Belkania was not under influence, he was then released. It has been third instance of the oppositionist’s detention in the last five days. Davit Belkania connects his persecution to his political activities.
Repression of MP Candidate
May 6, 2008
The tension is increasing in Akhaltsikhe district with approaching parliamentary elections. Tamar Gogoladze, majoritarian candidate for MP in Akhaltsikhe District from Georgian Republic Party, complains about suppression. “Election commission members from our party are invited to various instances and are given directives. I know who is meeting them and unless they stop the suppression, I will announce their names and will apply to other forms protest too.”
Attorney Hunger Strike Means Georgian Justice Died
May 5, 2008
Lia Mukhashavria Shares Attorneys’ Hardest Conditions Attorneys are sick and tired of remaining silent. They want to become more active in the pre-election period. Moreover, they have now decided to speak openly about legal gaps in the law as well as the general problems facing the profession. The dire herald of the Georgian legal system has only been highlighted by a very few until this time. “It is an act of last resort when attorneys take to street protests out of sheer desperation. It is only when there is not other option left open to them. Taking to the street portends that they have no other way out. This means that Georgia justice is dead”- this is how Lia Mukhashavria, a well-known attorney described the real situation facing legal system in Georgia.
“People’s Wishes Unfulfilled”- Concluded Akhaltsikhe District Locals
May 2, 2008
Voters from Akhaltsikhe look at the parliamentary elections pessimistically. Most of them do not know the candidates who are taking part in the polls.
Arrested Election Observer for “Not” Accepting Deal
May 2, 2008
Sabir Mekhtiev, an observer from the General-Civil Movement “Multinational Georgia”, who was an active observer during the Presidential Elections in 2008, was arrested. It appears that he was not willing to accept the deal of Aflatun Valiev, representative of the Sadakhlo Administrative-Territorial Unit Board.
Sozar Subari: “No More Rigged Elections” – Real Problem or Pre-election trick.
May 2, 2008
Public Defender does not trust the chairperson of the CEC Why does not Public Defender trust the chairperson of the CEC? Why were amendments introduced to the Election Code just before the Elections? What are the connections between the pre-election campaign and problems in Abkhazia? Twenty days remain before the Parliamentary Elections. The Human Rights Centre interviewed Sozar Subari, the Georgian Public Defender about the situation in the country during the pre-election
Khashuri Locals Complain: Poor Sewage System
May 1, 2008
People are afraid to say a word when they meet the Minister. “Great Investment Environment,” it was assessment made by the government in Khashuri where residential buildings were painted and roofs were repaired in keeping with the times. “We will repair roofs, and then supply the building with gas, then we will paint it and everything will be smooth,” said chairperson of the Khashuri District Municipality Board during his meeting with the residents of Stalini Street # 32. He tried to avoid the meeting of the discontent people with regional governor and Davit Tkeshelashvili, the Minister of Regional Management.
Why Destroy Karaleti Forest?
May 1, 2008
The vast forest in the village of Karaleti in Gori District has been permanently destroyed. Locals are protesting over the incident and they claim the state does not pay least attention to the 350 hectares of pristine forest.
Prosecutors are Regional Governors in Police State
May 1, 2008
Imereti region has new governor. Davit Tkeshelashvili, the State Minister for Regional Management, who is now introduced as Western Georgia’s Prosecutor and new Regional Governor. The predictions of Kutaisi residents have become true, especially with the de-facto situation that was legally registered by the central government.
Seven IDP Families Unable to Receive Compensations
April 30, 2008
Verdict of the Supreme Court has not been executed Maka Malakmadze, Batumi IDP population of the Adjara Autonomous Republic should receive compensation from the foreign Company “Adjara Resorts Holding B.V” after they were inserted on the list by the Ministry of healthcare. However, the latter is not responsible to pay compensations according to an agreement signed between the company and the Adjara Government. It is still uncertain whether the seven IDP families will be compensated or not.
National Movement 3rd Majoritarian Candidate for Tsalenjikha District Voters
April 30, 2008
On April 22 Mikheil Machavariani, vice-speaker of the Georgian Parliament, introduced Roland Fifia, a Russia-based Georgian businessman, to the voters of the Tsalenjikha District as the Majoritarian candidate standing from the National Movement. Gia Mebonia, former District Governor who was first promoted as the majoritarian candidate two weeks ago, and then Gia Kharchilava, and the chairperson of the Municipality Board consider this fact as just some kind of misunderstanding. They are both competing with each other to demonstrate just how faithful they are to the Georgian President. Tsalenjikh’s voters connect the on-going situation with inner-governmental and inner-party backbiting.
“Only Bait is Free in a Mouse-Trap”
April 30, 2008
Buckwheat, soup, mashed potato, spaghetti and meat- course rarely- it is the menu offered to the socially excluded population three years ago by the “Rose Government”. With the initiative the government gained hearts of one part of the voters, especially during the pre-election campaign. Now, parliamentary elections are approaching and consequently, the government has aimed to gain the hearts and votes of vulnerable people again.
Candidates for MP Are Busy Bribing Voters
April 29, 2008
Bribing of voters is prohibited by both the Election Code and the Criminal Code. However, candidates for Majoritarian MP, mostly from United National Movement (the leading party) are freely giving out presents to voters. Similar acts have been revealed by local and central TV companies almost everyday; however no criminal case has been launched yet.
“Great Trade” In the Hospitals Sector
April 29, 2008
“Universal Declaration on Human Rights” states that everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate to satisfy their health and well-being. Everyone has the right to good health regardless of his or her ethnicity, belief and social-economical conditions. It is natural that this international document applies to Georgian Citizens too concerning their rights for health protection and other rights.
Reasons Why Gori District’s Local Budget is not transparent.
April 29, 2008
The Human Rights Centre draws its attention to the faults of the efficient work of the local Gori self-government. Although the Supervision Institution of Self-governments and the Regional Governor promised absolute transparency in the district budget, lack of transparency still plagues the local government.
Police Breached the Rights of MP Candidate and a US Citizen
April 29, 2008
Lasha Chkhartishvili, Irakli Kakabadze and other members of the Egalitarian Institute (EI) who were arrested on April 23, were released the same day. Lawyers claim that Chkhartishvili and Kakabadze were arbitrarily detained because one of them took part in the ballot for majoritarian membership in the Parliament and the second is a US citizen.