The Council of Europe Monitoring Body says that racism and intolerance towards vulnerable groups in Georgia remains a problem, despite certain progress
In a new report, published on Thursday, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, a Council of Europe monitoring agency, states that despite some progress made at legislative and policy level in Georgia since 2015 racism and intolerance against certain ethnic and religious groups, and in particular against LGBTI persons, remains a problem. The teaching of Georgian language to historical ethnic minority groups is still insufficient. And government officials and politicians have undermined the reputation of Public Defender (Ombudsman), who also serves as the national equality
Since the adoption of ECRI’s previous report on Georgia, in 2015, there have been many improvements and good practices in several areas. A civic education course on intercultural relationships for schoolteachers was developed successfully, the number violent attacks against Jehovah’s Witnesses decreased significantly, and 78 Roma people received identification documents.
In the first few weeks following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, in February 2022 50,000 Ukrainians fled the war and entered Georgia. They were provided with initial housing, healthcare and education. In general, the Georgian society was very welcoming towards them. In its report, ECRI suggests developing a sustainable plan for the long-term support of Ukrainians who have been displaced.
Tens of thousands of Russians arrived in Georgia at the same time. The authorities acted quickly when anti-Russian resentment or discrimination occurred, including in consumer protection regulations. The Public Defender and Council of National Minorities have spoken out against negative stereotypes and hate speech directed at Russians. ECRI deems this a positive practice.
Despite the progress made, there are still some issues that raise concern. ECRI has also seen a negative impact of certain activities of the Public Defender that are linked to a part of the institution’s mandate and the situation of former President Mikheil Sakaashvili, who is currently in prison. In its report, ECRI suggests that the authorities take steps to ensure that politicians and government members refrain from making comments that undermine the credibility, independence, or reputation of the Public Defender’s institution.
Religious intolerance is still a problem in Georgia, despite the decrease in violence towards Jehovah’s Witnesses. In its report, ECRI notes the failure to implement its previous priority recommendation regarding religious discrimination and tolerance (including disputes over religious property). ECRI strongly recommends the authorities to focus their policies on religion on the principles of non-discrimination, and promote religious tolerance.
The teaching of Georgian to non-mother language speakers in the historical ethnic minority groups in the country remains vastly inadequate. ECRI recommends that the Georgian authorities increase the number hours of teaching Georgian as a secondary language in minority schools on a priority basis. ECRI will monitor the implementation of this recommendations within the next two year.
ECRI notes that there is no joint working group between government and NGO officials to discuss LGBTI issues. There is no way to register same-sex relationships, and there are no clear criteria to recognize legal gender. ECRI recommends addressing the issues.
In July 2021, large-scale counter-demonstrations against an LGBTI March in Tbilisi descended into violence against participants, organisers and journalists. ECRI believes that these attacks should be investigated effectively, perpetrators brought to justice, and similar acts prevented in the future.
Hate speech against LGBTI people, especially online has become a problem. There is no system in place to monitor hate speech that is racist or anti-LGBTI. A specialist unit has not been set up in the police to deal with hate crimes. In this context, ECRI recommends establishing a monitoring system for hate speech, and assessing the impact of training activities, for law enforcement officials, and prosecutors who deal with hate crime cases.
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The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance is a unique human right body that monitors the action against racism, intolerance, and discrimination in Europe (on grounds such as “race,” ethnic/national heritage, colour, citizenship and language, sexuality, gender identity, and sex characteristics). It prepares reports, and makes recommendations to member countries.
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