Undersigned organizations respond to the recent developments around Tbilisi State University and call on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take effective security measures and to strictly protect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly inside and in the vicinity of the University building.
A situation in Tbilisi State University has worsened, especially during the last two days. Student self-government and its supporting groups launched counter-protests against “Auditorium115’s” protests.
While the supporters of “Auditorium 115” are not able to enter the Tbilisi State University building, self-government affiliated individual groups, including the masked militant groups, manage to get in there. Members of “Auditorium 115” and university professors indicate that in some cases, the police have not prevented the counter-protest participants from entering the university building.
Representatives of the student self-government and their supporters have committed a number of violent incidents, including attacks on journalists and disruption of their activities.
Even though the police are mobilized on site, they do not have a common strategy and plan for ensuring security in the university building, which raises the risk of physical contact and attacks between the participants of two different groups. The fact that the students participating in counter-protest and their supporting groups violate the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, poses the threat of physical violence. The police and the Security Service of Tbilisi State University have not yet established a common rule for assembly members to enter the university building. Besides, inconsistent observing organizations have access to the university area. Insufficient security promotes the escalation of the situation and raises the risk of uncontrolled development of the processes.
Based on the above mentioned, we, the undersigned organizations call on:
– The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the Security Service of Tbilisi State University to ensure the safety and freedom of assembly of peaceful protesters inside and in the vicinity of the university building;
– The Government of Georgia to launch an investigation of illegal activities observed in the University;
– The government of Georgia to establish its political will and consider the legitimate demands of the students about launching the fundamental reform of the education system on the basis of academic freedom.
Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC)
Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF)
Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association
“Multinational Georgia” (PMMG)
International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED)
Civil Development Agency (CiDA)
Transparency International Georgia
Union “Sapari”
Women’s Movement
Information Freedom Development Institute (IDFI)
Green Alternative
Caucasian House
Community Development Center
Eastern Partnership Arts and Culture Council
TASO Foundation
Article 42 of the Constitution
Tolerance and Diversity Institute
Civil Society and Democracy Development Center (CSDDC)
Counseling and Training Center
Georgian Trade Union Confederation
Youth Alternative
Identity
Civic Initiative
Community Union ‘Nukriani’
Any organization may join the statement (anuka@csf.ge).
