Georgian, Ukrainian Presidents meet in Paris

Zurab Japaridze, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, regards the proposed amendments to the Law on Police and the Law on Public Service as indicative of an autocratic and dictatorial regime. According to Japaridze, these proposed amendments are not new and serve a specific agenda. “The objective is clear, isn’t it? On one hand, the goal is to employ individuals who have been brainwashed into joining the police force, allowing them to wear the uniform and to beat and torture people. On the other hand, it enables the dismissal of those with critical thinking skills, should any remain in public service,” he stated. The draft legislation would empower the Minister of Internal Affairs to hire individuals without a competitive selection process. Additionally, GD Executive Secretary Mamuka Mdinaradze announced that the amendments aim to facilitate the reorganization of public services to create a “healthier” public sector.

“We are continuously hearing alarming discussions regarding possible sanctions. Any decision that is made would be unjust,” stated Giorgi Kakhiani, the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee Chair. Kakhiani’s remarks followed a statement by EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski, who noted, “In response to the events of the last 12 days all the options are on the table. This also includes suspension of visa-free travel.” Kakhiani expressed that while he does not anticipate sanctions, he believes that any decision made should not pose an issue. “There is no problem if anyone believes individual sanctions should be imposed. If any representative of the Georgian Dream is sanctioned solely for serving the interests of the country, I have no issue with that. However, this decision should not adversely affect the population. To be honest, I have no expectation of sanctions, but we should wait for their decision; nonetheless, any decision would be unjust,” he said. “We have always said that we do not want to harm the population. We don’t want to punish the people who are manifesting their dedication to EU values, who are on the streets of Tbilisi and many other cities, waving Georgian flags and European Union flags. But the authorities who are responsible for the violence and brutality – we cannot keep silent. Member states will discuss it on Monday and hopefully already on Monday, there will be decisions taken,” said EU Ambassador on December 9.

Peter Fischer, German ambassador to Georgia, said it is “unacceptable for gangs of thugs to attack and injure press and others. They told us police was only few meters away and did not intervene. Quo vadis, Georgia?” Fischer noted that today eight ambassadors visited TV Pirveli journalist Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli in hospital to wish well and show solidarity.  

Georgian Public Defender Levan Ioseliani visited 34 detainees of the December 7 Rustaveli Avenue protest in Tbilisi and Sagarejo. According to the Public Defender’s Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) should take notice of lost items belonging to the detained protesters. Levan Ioseliani remarked that the detainees were observed with various injuries received during detention and transportation. The Public Defender provided the information on each fact to the Special Investigation Service.

Taking into account the developments in Georgia, the European Commission is reviewing a possible activation of the visa regime suspension mechanism for certain categories of persons. The report provides several recommendations: — Ensure and uphold the protection of fundamental rights of all Georgian citizens, including the freedoms of association, assembly and expression, the right to privacy, the right to participate in public affairs, as well as the prohibition of discrimination. — Avoid and repeal any legislation that may restrict fundamental rights and freedoms, go against the principle of non-discrimination and contradict relevant European and international standards. In particular, repeal the Law on ‘transparency of foreign influence’ and the legislative package on ‘family values and protection of minors’, and amend the national strategy and action plan on human rights to ensure that the rights of LGBTIQ persons are fully upheld. — Align Georgia’s visa policy with the EU list of visa-required third countries, in particular with regard to countries presenting irregular migration or security risks to the EU. — Step up action to address the issue of unfounded asylum applications and irregular stays in Member States, such as information campaigns on the visa-free regime to relevant migrant profiles and stricter border checks. — Set up an Asset Recovery Office and Asset Management Office, and continue efforts in asset tracing, freezing, management, confiscation and disposal. — Adopt a new anti-corruption strategy and action plan, ensuring adequate resources for their implementation and pay special attention to investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of high-level corruption cases. — Amend the Law on Anti-Corruption Bureau to address key Venice Commission recommendations, particularly those pertaining to the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s effective independence, political neutrality and functions. — Align the Law on Personal Data Protection with the EU acquis.