Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) responds to the ongoing investigation at State Security Service related to the racial discrimination and considers that it may have the goals to control and examine civil activists’ freedom of expression and activism. Furthermore, the invitation of Tamta Mikeladze, one of the directors of EMC, who is working on equality policy issues, with the status of an examined person is also problematic for us.

As it is known, the State Security Service (SSS) commenced investigation on May 30. The investigation was preceded by the statement of the Archbishop of Marneuli and Hujab Diocese Giorgi Jamdeliani, who expressed dissatisfaction with the restoration of the Nariman Narimanov monument in Marneuli and expressed an ultimatum to the Mayor to take the monument. The Archbishop’s statement had a chauvinistic connotation. G. Jamdeliani’s views were actively disseminated through social media by far-right groups, which were accompanied by the use of hate speech against the ethnic Azerbaijani population. It is noteworthy, that previously, during the events ongoing in Davit Gareji, as well as during the pandemic lockdown of Marneuli and Bolnisi, the hate speech and rhetoric against the Azerbaijani community of Georgia was spread aggressively, including by the ultra-conservative groups. Such campaigns had a hard, emotional influence over local communities and activists. Unfortunately, this aggressive rhetoric of hatred was not responded to by high-ranking state officials. Relevant state authorities also did not take a responsibility to moderate the discussion concerning the Nariman Narimanov monument and transfer it into a democratic discussion format. Regardless of the requests from public groups, Zaza (Zaal) Abashidze, the director of the National Center for Manuscripts, was not removed from his post, who he made a sharply racist statement regarding these processes.

In our opinion, although the SSS statement and investigation should be substantially directed at the leaders of the ultra-conservative groups who openly use hate speech and discriminatory treatment towards the ethnically Azerbaijani population of Georgia, the statement was immediately followed by some views, that they were also indirectly targeting civil activists as they openly talk about the needs and concerns of the Kvemo Kartli and not only community. This doubt was further reinforced by the fact that shortly after the commencement of the investigation, the investigative body began actively questioning Georgian Azerbaijani activists.

EMC was attending the examination of several activists, including Samira Bairamova, a women's rights activist, and Mirtagi Asadov, Chairman of the Supreme Religious Administration of Georgia's All Muslims. The inquiries and accents during the investigation show that the investigative body considers the activities and criticisms of Georgian Azerbaijani activists in the context of ethnic strife and aims to test their freedom of expression, activism and to have a chilling effect on them and others as well. None of the questions was related to the damage done to the local community and activists by xenophobic and chauvinistic rhetoric organized by ultra-conservative groups. Another problematic perspective that emerged in the survey process is to equalize ultra-conservative groups and activists.

It should be mentioned with this investigation process, that the transfer of jurisdiction of the State Security Service concerning the equality-related crimes, which again reveals the systemic problem of security perspectives domination towards minority issues;

EMC was attending the examination of several activists. The State Security Service imposed the obligation of not-publicity to the EMC representative under Article 104 of the Criminal Procedural Code of Georgia.

The inquiries and accents during the investigation show that the investigative body considers the activities and criticisms of Georgian Azerbaijani activists in the context of ethnic strife and aims to test their freedom of expression, activism and to have a chilling effect on them and others as well. None of the questions was related to the damage done to the local community and activists by xenophobic and chauvinistic rhetoric organized by ultra-conservative groups. Another problematic perspective that emerged in the survey process is to equalize ultra-conservative groups and activists. Clearly, the application of such a procedural mechanism is aimed at taking the investigation process out of the public control and deprives the respondents of the opportunity to defend their positions and express dissatisfaction.

Due to the imposed restrictions, we are deprived of the opportunity to provide specific information on the issues raised during the survey. However, in general, it should be noted that the content of the questions raised by the investigative body and the wording is quite problematic and creates the filling of controlling and testing of freedom of thought, speech, and expression. In certain cases, when activists have expressed their views on problems in the region, the investigating authorities seem to be accusing them of creating tensions between ethnic groups. The investigative authority had not asked any question, which would demonstrate their interest in the damage and stress, ethnic Azerbaijani activists received due to chauvinistic and hostile language and rhetoric. Under these conditions, there was a feeling that the investigation was using homogeneous approaches towards civil activists and people involved in the chauvinist, racist campaign, which is unfair and problematic. Such an approach is even more problematic in the light of the government's apparent legal loyalty to the criminal incidents committed by ultra-conservative violent groups.

In recent years, the unique self-organization of local activists is apparent in the Azerbaijani community for social change and the building of a democratic society. Their rhetoric is based on the ideas of civic nationalism, equality, and solidarity. Their statements clearly show the deep emotional connection and self-identification with the Georgian political and cultural space. Unfortunately, the voice of the state activists and the importance of this social process is not properly understood and this unique resource is not used to strengthen the integration process. Among them, the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality does not have regular and institutionalized formats of dialogue with young activists.

As for the invitation of the Equality Policy Director of EMC, Tamta Mikeladze at the SSS examination, we once again highlight the problematic nature of such practice against us and people with similar experiences. Here we would like to add that our organization tries to support the building of fair political and social environment and solidarity for various social groups, including for workers, women, nondominant ethnic and religious minority groups, persons with disabilities, homeless people, etc. Solidarity, peace, and democracy are those principles and analytical and strategic frameworks that are applied by our organization in its daily work. Sharing of our working goals, critics of politics, and ideals to the State Security Service is not a problem and such examination will not have any influence over the spirit of our work, neither on its livelihood and scale. However, the examination of the human rights organization’s director in the investigation process with vague goals, context, and non-transparent procedure, concerning the issues indirectly connected to her activities, is an example of arbitrary and problematic state action.

Following the above mentioned, we consider it is of fundamental importance:

State Security Service:

• should clarify what are the goals of an ongoing investigation and to what specific facts it is connected.
• Not to allow the practice of arbitrary inspection and control of civil activists’ freedom of expression and their activities.

Government:

• To create a democratic discussion space for the transformation of state policy towards integration and to establish it on the unwavering protection and respect for the ideas and principles of human rights, justice, and inclusion;
• Analyze the unique democratic and emancipatory processes taking place in non-dominant ethnic groups and establish solid and institutionalized dialogue formats with young activists;
• Understand the problem of placing equality-related crimes in the investigative jurisdiction of the SSS and change this rule.

Public Defender:

• Monitor the ongoing investigation process at SSS and share their assessments with the public promptly.

EMC continues to protect the interests of civil activists in this process through legal and other means of advocacy, and will provide additional information to the public about the investigation process in the future.

Share