Statement of the Civil Organizations of Georgia
August 21, 2008
The events that have been taking place in Georgia in August 2008 have been unanimously recognized by the civilized world as Russia’s open military aggression against Georgia. Russia decided to punish the small neighboring county, which has been striving to become a modern developed state. Despite the military aggression of an unthinkable scale Georgia refused to give up such values as freedom, statehood, rule of law, civil society and democratic governance.
Georgia’s aspiration to be a part of Europe is not a self-fulfilling goal. This is the only way for our country to establish real democracy, to save and develop Georgian society and statehood. Democratic development is a precondition for achieving welfare and justice in our society.
Today we have to remember that we have already passed the most critical period of the recent developments. Right now a key battle is taking place in our minds. Our resistance to the existing situation and civil solidarity are preconditions for ensuring that Russian occupational troops leave Georgia in the nearest future.
There is no time for judgment right now. Today the entire society has to unite to achieve a single objective – to force Russian occupational forces out of Georgia. Time will come for open discussions and analysis of the recent developments, which will lead us to the conclusions on how our country should develop in the future.
Today we, representatives of the civil society have to
• Get organized for assisting the people who suffered as a result of the assault. We have to demonstrate our solidarity and sympathy with individuals who have been displaced;
• Remain calm and confident and demonstrate civil dignity. No weapon can defeat people’s resistance and sense of dignity. Our unity and solidarity are preconditions for future success of the Georgian state.
The statement is open for signing.
Signatures:
- Georgia Young Lawyers Association
- Open Society Georgia Foundation
- Civil Development Agency CiDA
- Civil Participation Centre
- Civil Development Institute
- National Network Against Violence
- Women Club Peoni
- Article 42 of the Constitution
- Caucasus Environment NGOs Network
- Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development
- Civil Council
- ICCN
- Union “21st Century”
- Multinational Georgia
- Regional Environmental Center of Caucasus
- Dusheti Women Initiative Centre
- Centre for Protection of Constitutional Rights
- Guria Youth Resource Centre
- Association Sachino
- Georgia Psycho-social aid association Ndoba
- Ozurgeti Young Teachers Union
- Human Harmonious Development Support Society
- Georgia Young Scientists’ Development Centre
- Liberty Institute
- Journalistic centre “Discover Georgia”
- Forest Researchers Union
- Consulting and Training Centre CTC
- International Association “Civitas Georgica”
- Curatio International Foundation
- Youth Association Droni
- National Council of Youth Organizations of Georgia
- International Network for Civil Development
- Georgian Technical University Students Union
- Youth Non-formal Education centre Mziani Sakhli
- Youth development Support Agency Compas
- Georgian Association of Education Initiatives
- Intercultural Relationships Youth Centre
- Caucasus Environmental Protection Youth Network
- Georgian Association of Young Medical Workers
- Youth Foundation for Orphans Support
- National Association of Protection from Violence
- Youth Development Centre
- Peace and Development Academy
- Youth Alternative
- Georgian Falcons
- Association Mkurnali
- AISI
- Strategic Research and Development Centre
- ALPE
- Association “Flore and Fauna”
- Transparency International Georgia
- Economical Education Development Centre
- Georgia Nature Lovers Society
- Deloitte and Touch Georgia representation
- United Nations Association of Georgia
- Kutaisi association “Education and the World”
- Georgia national association of municipal service providers
- Center for International Education (CIE)
- Woman Crisis Centre, Azerbaijan
- Strategic Research Institute
- Union Step Forward
- Women’s Information Centre
- Society “Biliki”
- Borjomi Women Initiative Group
- NACRES
- Caucasus Lawyers Association
- Studiomibile – Accent on Action
- Caucasus Ecology Foundation
- Civil Education Office of Shida Kartli
- Gori Anti-Corruption resource Centre
- Children and Youth Rights Protection Association
- Intelligent Women Association “Kartlis Deda”
- Gori Handicapped Club
- Student-Youth Council
- Association Green Alternative
- Association Elkana
- International Association Women’s Movement for Equality
- Local Democracy Agency Georgia
- Helsinki citizens’ Assembly Georgian National Committee
- The South Caucasus Institute for Regional Security
- The International Campaign to ban Landmines Georgian Committee “Ottawa 98
- The Intellectual Club Of Peace And Friendship. LLL (land,life,love)
- Geogia Greens Movement
- Democracy Institute
- Non-for-profite Society Tarosi
- Internet group Re:action
- Georgian Environmental and Biological Monitoring Association (GEBMA)
- Economic Policy Research Center
- Energy Efficiency Centre Georgia
- National commitee of European Youth Parliament.
- Foundation for International Community Assistance – FINCA Georgia.
- Vasil Gulashvili Forest Inistitute
- Adult Education Association of Georgia (AEAG)
- Handicapped Association Gea
- Academy of Ecological Sciences of Georgia
- Kote Marjanishvili State Drama Theatre
- Georgian Medical Women’s Association
- Center for Economic Education and Development (CEED)
- Association “CIMS Consulting”
- Center of Albanian NGO “Ecomovement”
- John Dos Passos Association of Georgia”
- World Experience for Georgia (WEG) – foundation
- Association of journalists “PostFactum”
- დემოკრატიისა და სამოქალაქო განვითარების ასოციაცია
- ძალადობისგან დაცვის ეროვნული ქსელის იმერეთის კომიტეტი
- ახალგაზრდული ფრონტი თავისუფლებისთვის
- Young Scientist union ,,intellect”