The Coalition for Independent and Transparent Judiciary of Georgia appealed to the judicial officers to take lenient views for the people arrested during recent protests. These protesters were opposing the foreign influence draft law.
The coalition further called upon the relevant judges of the common courts to protect the constitutional rights of citizens. The Coalition stressed that any illogical action of judges will only encourage the arbitrary action of the police.
There had been nationwide protests in the last two days against the reinitiated Russian draft law near the Parliament building. The main objective of the draft law is to marginalize independent and critical Georgian civil organizations and media according to protestors. Protestors also allege that the implementation of the law will stifle freedom of thought in the country.
According to the protestors the bill will not only undermine the national demicraric values rather it will create problems for the Georgian journey towards the EU’s integration.
The coalition stated that “The protest was peaceful for the last two days in the capital before the Parliament building. The police are using unnecessary force to disperse the peaceful protestors which is a violation of their basic rights”.
The coalition further expressed fears that the trial of the arrested people could also defame the Georgia at international level as it would allow opposition forces to criticize Georgia for stifling the voice of peaceful protestors.
Considering the circumstances which have been mentioned above the coaltion would like to call on the judges tasked with hearing :
- To safeguard the constitutional rights of Georgian citizens and they should refrain from making illegal or unsubstantiated decisions against them
- Judges should also need to take appropriate action and refer the cases of the misuse of power by the police to concerned authorities
- Judges must recoginise the protestors right to peaceful protest under the constitutional provision of Georgian laws
