**Council of Europe Calls for Stronger Human Rights Protection in Georgia**
The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, has published a memorandum calling for stronger protection of human rights in Georgia. The document highlights concerns over police brutality, attacks on journalists and civil society activists, and discrimination against the LGBTI community.
**Police Brutality and Attacks on Journalists**
The memorandum expresses concern over police violence during protests, particularly against peaceful demonstrators. It also condemns the harassment and intimidation of journalists who were trying to report on these events.
**Attacks on Civil Society Activists**
The document highlights a series of physical attacks, smear campaigns, and surveillance targeting civil society activists and human rights defenders. Despite these incidents, no arrests have been made, and many cases remain unresolved.
**Discrimination Against LGBTI Community**
The memorandum criticizes the Georgian government’s decision to ban legal gender recognition, criminalize trans-specific healthcare, restrict LGBTI-related education, and prohibit same-sex adoption. It also condemns the proposal to remove terms like “gender” and “gender identity” from legislation.
**Recommendations**
Commissioner O’Flaherty has made several recommendations to the Georgian government, including:
* Ensuring that police actions are in line with international standards
* Requiring law enforcement personnel to wear visible identification to enhance accountability
* Protecting journalists’ rights to report freely and safely
* Conducting independent investigations into human rights violations and ensuring accountability for those responsible
**Full Implementation of ECtHR Rulings**
The document also emphasizes the need for Georgia to fully implement judgments from the European Court of Human Rights, particularly in cases related to police misconduct.
**Urgent Action Required**
Commissioner O’Flaherty stresses that urgent action is required to address these concerns and ensure that human rights are respected and protected in Georgia.