HRIDC Protest Statement
Events that took place on January 6, 2004, reflect a disturbing trend of increasing human rights violations within Ajara. The representatives of the Ajaran Autonomous Republic Security Ministry detained Kmara activists and their family members. The detention was conducted without proper sanction and with the violation of a number of laws. Levan Chkartishvili and his father, Romeo Chkhartishvili, Irakli Khajomia and his father, Merab Khajomia, are all in illegal detention. Approximately 15 individuals have been detained.
The Human Rights Information and Documentation Center denounces the repression against Kmara activists and demands the immediate release of its activists and their family members from illegal detention. HRIDC also expresses its concern regarding the frequency of similar violations in the region of Ajara and calls upon the Ajaran government to defend human rights. In addition, we condemn the decision of the Ajarian government to again declare a state of emergency within the region, and consider the existing situation detrimental to the freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and other fundamental rights.