Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights who was on a visit to Georgia 21 to 23 January 2025 expressed deep concerns about human rights violations.
Michael O’Flaherty, on end of his three-day visit called large scale incidents of human rights violation very serious. However he thanked Georgian authorities for their cooperation during his three day visit to Georgia.
At the same time, he urged Georgian authorities to take immediate steps for stop human rights violation incident in different parts of country as well. He also called authorities to fix accountability of all those who use unnecessary force against peaceful protesters by exceeding their powers.
It is worth to mentioned that in many case initial procedure has been started against those who use excessive force but still no officer has been prosecuted which is not acceptable, underlined Michael O’Flaherty.
According to Michael O’Flaherty, introduction of new amendment in law related to assemblies and manifestation and administrative offence code is shocking. Moreover he called these restriction s an attempt by authorities to contain right of people for peaceful protests.
In addition Michael O’Flaherty, said, the immediate implementation of these amendment are worrisome, this is also an attempt to impose a strict blanket against the people rights of peaceful protest.
Recent arrest of a journalist namely Mzia Amaghlobeli, was also condemned by him. He said he had visited her in prison to apprise himself about her health.
Commissioner said this seems to attempt by government and its authorities to stifle independent media voice critical to government. It is to be noted that Amaghlobeil was arrested initially on administrative ground however later authorities booked her on criminal charge for attacking a police officer.
According to commissioner this practice of pre-trial persecution is shocking and should not be adopted by any republic country. This will violate rights of note just any particular section of society rater it will affect rights of every citizen of country. Notably commissioner met many higher Georgia officer including Public Defender of Georgia.
