“Watching TV, I Think I Am Listening News About Other Country”

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

Georgia has been celebrating the anniversary of Rose Revolution on St. George’s Holiday for 6 years already. The “government of roses” has been eagerly reminding people for six years that everything what has been done since the revolution was in sake of people. They claim that 6 years ago they liberated the country from corruption and turned it into a democratic state. For the government, November 23 is associated with economical progress, creation of new working places and development in general.

Kutaisi bureau of the Human Rights Center interviewed citizens and asked how they evaluate the 6th anniversary of the Rose Revolution, whether the level of democracy increased in the country and whether human rights are protected in Georgia.

Lado Abuladze, 34-year-old driver: “When entire Georgian population was in the street, we all had one desire – to change the regime in the country. Nobody expected the events to develop so illogically. At that time, people hoped for better and not for the worse… we wanted real democracy in our country. Today, on the 6th anniversary of the Rose Revolution, if we look through the previous years we will see that we should not have stood in the street.”

Nana Chapidze, 27-year-old lawyer: “Today, when we already can evaluate the results of the Rose Revolution, and inquire whether it has realized the hopes of the people, we should rather say that revolution deceived people. We cannot speak about positive output of the revolution in the country where basic freedoms are not protected. We should remember the court or TV Channels in Georgia which work in favor of the government; how can we speak about democracy in the country where people cannot enjoy freedom of expression?! In the country where personal correspondence are checked and phone-conversations are listened to?! Everybody speaks about these problems very openly. It is restriction of personal inviolability and personal freedom.”

Marina Davadze, 44-year-old unemployed person: “Unfair trial, several thousands of unemployed people and fear of something or somebody – this is the achievements of the revolution. Besides that, there are many problems and people avoid speaking about them. Society is afraid … everybody’s phone is listened to. If two people are speaking about something they are listened to. I do not exaggerate the situation. It is reality which is not announced on TV. When I watch TV, I have feeling I am listening to the news about other country because according to the released information everything is ok in Georgia… hundreds of people including me got unemployed after the revolution. Nobody knows what will be tomorrow. We will have many similar surprises in future.”

Gia Ghvinianidze, 46-year-old engineer: “Why do you complain about this government?! They have increased pensions up to 80 GEL?! Is not it enough?! What else do you expect?! I did not expect much… We did not like Shevardnadze and why did you think his pupil Saakashvili would be better?!”

Larisa Kacharava, 63-year-old retired person. “We have been living in fear and with breached rights for 6 years. Nobody inquires what problems we have. I was fired from job at the age of 59 and luckily soon I received pension or otherwise I would have died of hunger. They think people will love them if they build play-grounds and paint residential buildings. It is not so. People are wise and see everything.”

 Nato Tkeshelashvili, 37-year-old housewife: “We are in the worst situation now. Every day, every moment they are lying to us and tell various false stories on TV. Every TV-Station releases completely equal information and it is horrible. Revolution has not changed anything. Only Shevardnadze was replaced by Saakashvili. They both do not care about people.”

Tengiz Khaindrava, 55-year-old engineer: “I am not ashamed to say that I believed in changes like a little child; I hoped something would be changed for better but unfortunately it did not happen. Today, I am ashamed that I was standing in the street all day long and persuaded my relatives that next day would be better. Now I can say that next day is not better at all, and I am sorry for that. The revolution has brought only new government, which is a bit cynic and a bit liar; governmental officials love themselves most of all.”