Statement of the Council of National Minorities at the Public Defender’s Office on Events Concerning Muslim Community

www.ombudsman.ge

The Council of National Minorities at the Public Defender’s Office expresses concern regarding incidents that took place recently against Muslim community in Georgia, which in some cases, were the result of actions or inactions of population or certain representatives of state agencies.   

  

Events that took place during the recent period of time against Muslim community (Nigvziani, Tsintskaro, Samtatskaro) provoke religious alienation and tension amongst the citizens of our country. In this regard, dismantling of the mosque minaret in Adigeni Region village Tchela on August 26 was the most outrageous and caused negative reaction and protest amongst the Muslim community and a large part of Georgian population.   

  

We regard that there is an immediate need for the state to take timely and effective measures to: 1. Deescalate the situation; 2. Prevent confrontation and tension on religious grounds; 3. Take measures prescribed by law against crimes committed on religious grounds and fact of alleged discrimination. 

  

It is absolutely worth mentioning that exemplary neighbourly relationship and harmonious coexistence of Christian and Muslim population in village Tchela has been a clear and fascinating example of civic self-awareness, solidarity and tolerance, contrary to general religious intolerance in the country. This is a village where Muslims helped their Christian neighbours build a church and none of the Christian villagers agreed to sign the request of one of the “initiative groups” to demolish the mosque. Moreover, after the dismantling of the minaret, beaten and detained individuals were accompanied to Akhaltsikhe by the whole village, including Muslim, as well as Christian residents of Tchela. 

  

For us, as for the members of the Council of National Minorities at the Public Defender’s Office, it is important that the state investigates the case in a timely and objective manner and rehabilitates the violated rights of the Muslims by immediately retuning the minaret to village Tchela.  

  

Also, we would like to address politicians and other public figures, as well as each religious community to act wisely and delicately when the exemplary experience of cohabitation of various religious and ethnic groups in Georgian is concerned, to keep in mind the conflicts on religious grounds in our neighbouring regions and not to sacrifice rule of law, safety and peace in Georgia for their small-scale political and religious interests in a rush of a second.  

  

The Council of National Minorities at the Public Defender’s Office expresses desire and readiness to cooperate with the government of Georgia to strengthen means for ensuring peace, consensus between religious group, democracy and protection of human rights in Georgia and other important aspect of development of the country.     

  

The Council of National Minorities at the Public Defender’s Office.