February 13, 12

NEWS / Georgia: UN expert warns about arbitrary restrictions against opposition

13 February 2012 –
An independent United Nations human rights expert voiced alarm today at the increasing climate of fear and intimidation against opposition parties, labour unions and members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Georgia.

“It is clear that all these restrictive efforts have been put in place to deliberately prevent and restrict certain individuals from standing in the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections,” said Maina Kiai, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.

“The role of freedom of association in this context is to give hope to any political party that it can genuinely compete in elections. In the case of Georgia, there is an unequal political playing field,” he said.

Mr. Kiai, who recently finished an eight-day mission to the country, warned that a number of legislative amendments adopted in late December last year by the Georgian Parliament restrict the freedom of association.

The independent expert also noted that the situation of labour unions is one operating in a very difficult environment, as there have been allegations of dismissals of public and private employees for supposedly supporting opposition parties.

“Georgian labour laws provide for easy dismissal of workers, with no requirement to provide reasons, as long as the minimum monthly compensation is paid,” Mr. Kiai said, noting that this can inhibit the freedom to form, organize and operate trade unions, as employers have almost unfettered discretion and can find excuses to fire workers who try to form and operate trade unions which they may not want.

Mr. Kiai also referred to the events of 26 May last year, when he said police resorted to excessive use of force to disperse an assembly in Tbilisi, the capital, and called for an investigation of those responsible for the violence.

“A new, independent and transparent investigation must be undertaken with the participation of all stakeholders – which include opposition leaders, civil society representatives, the Government and representatives from the international community to ensure that all views and perspectives are taken into account, and that there is accountability for the clear excessive use of force that occurred. In the absence of that, the perception of impunity and dissatisfaction towards the Government will prevail.”

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41215&Cr=georgia&Cr1=