The human rights chief called on Georgian authorities to protect basic freedoms
According to a statement from High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, lawful protests were dispersed using disproportionate force and in some cases unnecessary force by police in the capital Tbilisi.
Dozens of protesters and media workers were said to have been injured in protests sparked by the prime minister’s announcement to postpone negotiations on joining the European Union.
Security forces reportedly used pepper spray, water cannons and chemical irritants against protesters and journalists. Some people were also chased and beaten by unknown assailants.
“The use of unnecessary or disproportionate force against protesters and media personnel is extremely disturbing”, Mr. Türk said. “All Georgians of all political persuasions should be able to express their views about their country’s future freely and peacefully.”
The United Nations Human Rights Office said international human rights standards require states to promote an environment conducive to the exercise of rights, including peaceful assembly, without discrimination. treat. OHCHR.
Any use of force by security personnel must be “an exception and comply with the principles of lawfulness, necessity, proportionality, prevention and non-discrimination.”
Protesters must show restraint
Turk High Commissioner also called on protesters to exercise their rights peacefully. Reports indicate that rocks, fireworks and bottles were thrown at security forces, in addition to causing damage to the parliament building. The Interior Ministry said at least 113 of its employees were injured.
The Georgia Department of Special Investigations – an independent organization accountable to Congress that investigates allegations against law enforcement officials – announced that it has opened an investigation into the officers’ police abuse of official power.
“All those found to have committed violations must be held accountableand allegations of ill-treatment of detainees should also be investigated,” the High Commissioner said.
Officers from riot control teams or special police units lack personal identification numbers or name tags – making accountability more difficult.
“These incidents once again highlight the need to address this long-standing concern when it comes to establishing the individual responsibility of law enforcement officers,” the human rights chief said. law in Georgia”.
According to Guidance on less-lethal weapons in law enforcementissued by the OHCHR in 2020, authorities must ensure that “law enforcement officers can be identified, for example by wearing name tags or individually assigned service numbers.”
Point of detention
Latest figures from the Ministry of Home Affairs show that at least 224 people were detained during four nights of protests. They face charges of petty hooliganism and disobeying lawful police orders. “Reports that some children are among those detained are particularly worrying.”, Mr. Türk said. “All their rights must be fully respected.”
He added that all those detained for lawfully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly must be released “immediately and unconditionally.”
“Those facing other charges must be guaranteed all rights to due process, presumption of innocence, counsel as well as the right to challenge the legality of pretrial detention and receive adequate medical care if needed.”
