Georgia, Tbilisi, Jul.15 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
Georgia's civil sector spread statement coming out against amendments to the law on public meetings and manifestations, as well as the law on Police and the Administrative Code of Offence, which were approved in the first reading of parliament.
We think this package of legislative amendments is a step back on the way of nation's democratic development, the statement said.
Term of administrative punishment is increased without any ground, tougher sanctions are applied on law-breaks less dangerous for the society, permission is introduced for use of illegal arm without relevant regulation, posing danger to citizen's life and health and the freedom of assembly and manifestations is restricted disproportionately, statement said.
Approval of such amendments in present political reality shows that the government is unwilling to solve crisis in the country through dialogue, cooperation and compromises, but strains resistance and evolves a danger of escalation of violation.
The civil sector calls on the Georgian government to halt adopting such amendments. The civil society will stand against attempts to restrict civil freedom, international organizations will take an active part in legal appraisal of draft legislative amendments and mass media will inform society about this.
The statement was undersigned by the Association of young lawyers, the Open society Institute -Georgia Foundation, the European integration forum, civil movement 'Multiethnic Georgia', the International Transparency - Georgia, the National education unit - XXI century, the Unification of Georgian lawyers, the Caucasus women network, media outlets Eliso Chapidze, Lasha Tugushi, Ani Mirotadze, Nino Nekishvili, psychologist Marina Chitadze and lawyer Levan Adeishvili.
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