Appeal of the Public Defender to the Chief Prosecutor of Georgia

The Public Defender of Georgia continues intensive work in order to study the developments of the International Day against Homophobia on May 17, 2013, and their subsequent effects. On May 20-21, 2013, the representatives of the Public Defender of Georgia met with the members of the non-governmental organizations “Identity” and “Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group”, as well as other supporters of the rally and the individuals, who accidentally appeared on the territory allocated to the rally.

The survey of the circumstances shows, that the number of incidents took place in the process of breaking down the rally, which, according to the witnesses and the victims, was expressed in the forms of physical and verbal abuse, degrading treatment and, in some cases, physical violence. However, the Public Defender is particularly concerned with the facts of individual violation and accompanied dangerous tendency towards the participants of the rally and the members of the organizations on May 18, 19, 20, that seriously endangers the safety of the citizens of Georgia with different views or life.

According to the respondents, various illegal actions have been carried out against them from May 17 until present. In particular, they stated, that because of their different appearance and views, they are facing persecution, physical and verbal abuse, violence and threats (hair on fire, throwing stones, harassment in public transport, attempts of intrusion in the office of the organization, getting information about the individual residential addresses for possible violation, etc.). Several people also noted that they are facing increased threat while moving in the streets or public transport. Some of them have even changed the address since their safety is not protected. Each of them relates these actions to participation in the rally of May 17 and association with specific LGBT group.

It should be noted that there are minors among the above-mentioned people, against which alleged crimes have also taken place.

On May 21, 2013 the Public Defender of Georgia sent the case materials to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia about the above-mentioned facts, in which a variety of criminal signs stipulated by the Criminal Code of Georgia might be evidenced. The Public Defender of Georgia will keep watch over every case individually and will have daily contact with the victims, for supervision over their security and privacy protection.

Despite of the fact that on May 20, 2013, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia issued a statement, according to which, 4 persons were arrested in relation to the events of May 17, 2013 based on administrative procedure, it is obvious that it is necessary to continue the investigation on the above facts.

The Public Defender of Georgia expresses its deep concern over the above facts of violation of human rights and freedoms and calls the law enforcement agencies to take adequate measures promptly and effectively, in order to ensure the safety of all citizens of Georgia and avoid violations of human rights guaranteed by the Constitution without discrimination.

Source: ombudsman.ge

http://www.ombudsman.ge/index.php?page=1001&lang=1&n=0&id=1710