Racial Discrimination – Does Georgia Face this Problem?

”Racial Discrimination – Does Georgia Face this Problem?
Discussion Meeting

March 21 was the International Day Against Racism and Intolerance. The Human Rights Information and Documentation Center(HRIDC) organized a round table to discuss these issues. Representatives of different NGOs and Ethnic Minorities attended the meeting held at the HRIDC office on March 22.

Ucha Nanuashvili, executive director of the HRIDC, defined the term of "racism" according to the UN convention, and put this issue on the agenda: Does this problem exist in Georgia or not? Racial discrimination and intolerance are considered not only according to race or colour, but also on national and ethnic origin as well.

At the meeting, the HRIDC presented different facts about torture and attempts to deport African negroes to the territory of Azerbaijan, as well as many other examples of discrimination. This was the reason why many left the country.

The participants agreed that Georgian society as well as NGOs lack adequate information regarding to deal with the problem.

The discussion referred to the problem of whether Georgia really faces the problem of racism, or is the idea of racism simply copied from Europe and not really a problem. Many examples of racial discrimination were given, leading to the conclusion that racism exists, and in fact is common in Georgia.

The participants also came to the conclusion that serious research in this area should be conducted in Georgia. A report could be written with the joint efforts of interested NGOs.

People whose rights are violated often do not attept to secure legal protection, as they are afraid of being deported for living in Georgia illegally.

A lack of knowledge about legal rights is the primary reason why the rights of black people in Georgia are frequently violated.