NGOs: imposing curfew is unconstitutional
Curfew is in effect in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Zugdidi, Gori and Poti between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Several Georgian NGOs have released a statement claiming that the imposition of curfew in seven large cities in Georgia including the capital of Tbilisi starting November 9 is unconstitutional.
The Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI), International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), Human Rights Centre (HRC) and Transparency International Georgia (TI Georgia) say that the government does not have the legislative authority to restrict freedom of movement.
Moreover, this step is perceived as an attempt to suppress the current wave of (opposition) protests,” says a joint statement released by the NGOs.
The NGOs say that the government used Article 453 of the Law of Georgia on Public Health to impose the restriction, which was adopted by the parliament of Georgia in an expedited manner on May 22, 2020.
Opposition took to the street following the elections. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
The law allowed the government to impose various restrictions without the parliament’s consent.
The NGOs say that the law itself is unconstitutional as it ‘never specifies preconditions and the scope of restrictions.’
All the four NGOs were against imposing a curfew also in the spring of 2020.
Although the epidemiological situation has deteriorated, surfew is not an effective, necessary and proportionate measure of public health protection,” say the NGOs, adding that the measure is perceived ‘as an attempt of the government to disrupt democratic processes and to fight the wave of protests.’
Starting November 9, a curfew went into effect in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Zugdidi, Gori and Poti between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. amid an uptick in coronavirus cases.
Georgia has reported 2,911 new cases of coronavirus, 2,421 recoveries and 45 deaths in the past 24 hours.
A curfew will go into effect starting tonight in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Zugdidi, Gori and Poti between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. amid an uptick in coronavirus cases.The restrictions will not affect international cargo transportation, nor emergency, pharmacy, media and delivery services. The government of Georgia says that this is not a typical curfew but ‘a local restriction of movement’, the violation of which will be punishable by 2,000 GEL.
A total of 2,901 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Georgia over the last 24 hours, including 1,060 cases in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. Meanwhile, 2,799 people have recovered from the virus, while 34 others have died.
Starting November 9, a curfew will go into effect in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Zugdidi, Gori and Poti between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. amid an uptick in coronavirus cases. Vice Prime Minister Maia Tskitishvili announced at a news briefing earlier today that the interagency coordination council has made a decision based on the epidemiological situation in the country and the increased cases of infection.
Opposition activities are rallying at various district election commissions in Tbilisi and in the regions, where commission members are making summaries of the results after a recount of votes in several constituencies.
Head of Tbilisi Infectious Disease Hospital Tengiz Tsertsvadze has called on Georgian citizens to maintain coronavirus-related safety regulations and avoid crowded gatherings.
Georgia has reported 3,120 new cases of coronavirus, 2,358 recoveries and 33 deaths in the past 24 hours.
Georgia has reported 3,473 new cases of coronavirus, 2,342 recoveries and 37 deaths in the past 24 hours. 16,981 individuals remain infected with Covid-19 in Georgia as of today. Georgia has had 73,154 cases of coronavirus since February 26, 2020.Since then 55,511 individuals have recovered, while 636 others have died. 4,957 patients are undergoing treatment in hospitals as of today. 633 of the 4,957 patients are in critical condition. 357 of the 633 critical patients are on artificial ventilation.
Georgia has reported 3,020 new cases of coronavirus, 3,387 recoveries and 34 deaths over the last 24 hours. As of now, a total of 79,678 cases have been confirmed in Georgia since late-February, including 62,061 recoveries and 703 deaths.
Recoveries have outnumbered new cases of coronavirus in Georgia in the past two days. The country has reported 3,157 new cases of coronavirus, 3,230 recoveries and 30 deaths in the past 24 hours. 16,785 individuals remain infected with Covid-19 in Georgia as of today. Georgia has had 82,835 cases of coronavirus since February 26, 2020.Since then 65,291 individuals have recovered, while 733 others have died.
The curfew in seven big cities of Georgia will be lifted on November 20-21, for the second-round of elections.