News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International
AI Index: EUR 56/001/2004 25 January 2004
Georgia: President Saakashvili should put human rights at the heart of his policies
Having won around 96 percent of the vote in the presidential election Mikhail Saakashvili has an overwhelming mandate
from the people of Georgia. Amnesty International is calling on President Saakashvili on the occasion of his
inauguration today, to put human rights at the heart of his policies.
"Amnesty International urges President Saakashvili to demonstrate his commitment to human rights by promoting respect
for the rights of all, regardless of their political opinion, religious belief, ethnic background, or gender."
In particular Amnesty International calls on President Saakashvili:
· To take decisive steps to ensure that religious minorities can feel safe in Georgia. For years religious
minorities including Baptists, Jehovah's Witnesses and Pentecostals have been victims of a series of violent attacks by
supporters of the Georgian Orthodox Church. In many cases, the police failed to provide adequate protection or even
actively supported the attackers. The authorities of Georgia have not taken firm steps, and hundreds of perpetrators of
the attacks have still not been brought to justice.
· To take all appropriate measures to make Georgia a country where no one has to fear torture or ill-treatment at
the hands of the police. Amnesty International remains concerned about persistent reports of torture and ill-treatment
in custody and that many official investigations opened in such cases have not been pursued impartially and with vigour.
· To ensure respect for the rights to freedom of expression and association in Georgia. Recently, Amnesty
International has been particularly concerned about the harassment and intimidation of independent journalists in the
autonomous republic of Ajaria and reports that some of them were beaten by police. Amnesty International is also
concerned about reports that approximately a dozen supporters of the Youth Movement Kmara and members of their families
have been detained in recent weeks to punish them for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression.
· To prioritise human rights in Georgia’s international relations. Despite its obligation not to extradite anybody
to a country where he or she would be at risk of serious human rights violations, Georgia has extradited a number of
Chechens to Russia whom the Russian authorities accused of "terrorism". Amnesty International urges President
Saakashvili to build on the positive stand taken last year when Georgia refused to hand over three men to Russia
following a Supreme Court decision in May 2003.
· To put on the agenda of his government the immediate abrogation of the impunity agreement reached with the
United States by the prior government. In May 2003 the Parliament of Georgia was only the second parliament in the world
to ratify a bilateral impunity agreement with the United States (US). This agreement seeks to prevent Georgia from
surrendering to the new International Criminal Court (ICC) US nationals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and
war crimes. This agreement runs counter to Georgia’s obligations under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal
Court, as well as under international law.
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View all documents on Georgia at http://amnesty-news.c.tep1.com/maabSO2aa3Qnqbb0hPub/
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