Human Rights Watch, an international human rights watchdog, released its annual world report on January 13, which includes a chapter summarizing turbulent human rights developments in Georgia in 2021.
The Georgia chapter addresses various concerns, including lack of accountability for law enforcement abuses, attacks on journalists, declining media freedom, violence against LGBT+ people, police interference with freedom of association, institutionalization of children, and threats to job security.
The report said that in 2021, “impunity for law enforcement ill-treatment remained a persistent problem,” citing Public Defender data showing 133 complaints of ill-treatment by prison staff or police. The investigation is ongoing and was launched after the Ombudsperson petitioned the State Inspectorate to look into the matter, the document said.
HRW also points to various controversial events from February 2021 when police imprisoned 20 activists in skirmish after protest tent was seized; mugged United National Movement headquarters to arrest party leader Nika Melia arrested 21 people for disobedience during the operation and allegedly used tear gas.
It cites an assessment by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, a local watchdog who criticized police for “impermissible” actions during the operation.
The report details the rushed enactment in April of increased penalties for police disobedience and petty hooliganism, which the local Social Justice Center watchdog said opened “more room for the indiscriminate use of repressive police mechanisms and sanctions.”
The human rights monitoring organization is also discussing September 2021 Leakage of Alleged Files of the State Security Service of Georgia, which contained compromising information about Georgian Orthodox clergy, as well as details of conversations by foreign diplomats, journalists, officials, opposition politicians and others.
HRW also reports on July 5th homophobic pogroms, when far-right groups attacked 53 journalists, including Aleksandre Lashkarava, who suffered serious injuries and died six days later. It says that although the final forensic results had not been issued at the time of writing, Lashkarava’s family and the Third Sector had criticized it first insights that he died of a drug overdose.
In particular, the document highlights that the police were present during the pogroms “but failed to prevent the violent incidents.”
The report also notes that “journalists and other media workers have suffered numerous threats and attacks throughout 2021.” Attack on Vakho Sanaia, moderator of the government-critical Formula TV in February. It adds that the three attackers have already been sentenced to pre-trial detention.
HRW highlights that Minister of Culture Tea Tsulukiani “took the microphone and confiscated it‘ by a reporter from anti-government Mtavari Arkhi TV in July.
The homophobic pogroms are mentioned again in the report, as HRW recalls that on July 5, far-right mobs raided the Tbilisi Pride office and also broke into the offices of several CSOs.
“Instead of ensuring the safety and freedom of assembly of Pride organizers and participants, the authorities appeared to blame them,” the document reads.
It cites Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s controversial remarks that it would have been better to hold the Pride demonstration in a public place.unreasonable‘ and the Ministry of the Interior warning to the organizers not to hold the March for Dignity on Rustaveli Avenue. The event was subsequently cancelled as mass violence went unchecked on July 5.
HRW particularly emphasizes that the authorities did so despite arresting 27 people for involvement in the attacks received criticism for “failing to prosecute one of the organizers of the violence”.
The report states that the authorities allowed the first-ever legal gender recognition for a transgender person in Georgia in March, but stresses that the requirement for a medical certificate remains a serious obstacle in the lives of transgender people.
The document draws attention to the leadership of the Georgian Orthodox Church Ninotsminda Orphanage, which twice barred the public defender’s office from monitoring, sparking a controversy that led to the revelation that there were four ongoing investigations into child physical and sexual abuse at the facility. The majority of residents were subsequently transferred to other facilities or foster families.
HRW also notes that in June the Tbilisi City Court reigns Separating children from their family poverty is illegal, a move described as “unprecedented” by Partnership for Human Rights, a local CSO.
As for political developments, the report highlights that the opposition rejected the results of the 2021 local elections and called for street protests after GD “won a clear majority” in the polls. Citing international observers assessments, the document said the polls were technically well conducted but “marred by allegations of voter pressure, vote-buying and an unlevel playing field.”
It points out that the elections are preceded by the signing of the EU brokered deal of April 19th between the Georgian Dream and the opposition, set to end the 2020 parliamentary boycott. The document recalls that DG “leaving” the deal in July, citing UNM’s refusal to join the agreement.
HRW also says that the 2021 elections were also preceded by the detention of ex-president Mikhail Saakashvili on the eve of the elections.
Regarding workers’ rights, Human Rights Watch says fair working conditions despite the sweeping work Reforms coming into force in 2021. It notes that social protections are minimal and unions lack legal avenues for effective bargaining, while around 20 deaths and 189 injuries were reported at workplaces in 2021.
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