ECHR: Georgian authorities failed to protect LGBT demonstrators from homophobic mob in 2013
ECHR obliged Georgia to pay damages amounting to €193,500. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that the Georgian authorities failed to protect the LGBT demonstrators from the homophobic mob on the International Day Against Homophobia back in 2013, obliging Georgia to pay damages amounting to €193,500.
The court released its judgement on the case 'Women's Initiatives Supporting Group and Others v. Georgia' earlier today, saying that the Georgian authorities failed to 'protect the peaceful demonstrators from homophobic and transphobic aggression' and ensued 'inadequate investigation.'
Judgment Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group and Others v. Georgia - unprecedented violence against LGBT demonstratorshttps://t.co/sfzwDbwa8r#ECHR #CEDH #ECHRpress
— ECHR CEDH (@ECHR_CEDH) December 16, 2021
ECHR found that the following articles were violated:
- Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment)
- Article 11 (freedom of association)
- Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination)
Such failure to take effective measures had been compounded by evidence of official connivance, and even active participation in individual acts of prejudice, the court noted.
On May 17, 2013, the LGBT demonstrators attempted to hold a peaceful rally in the centre of Georgia's capital Tbilisi to mark the International Day Against Homophobia.
However, thousands of counter-demonstrators, including the clergymen, physically attacked the LGBT demonstrators, forcefully ending their rally.
On International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), the diplomatic corps and international organisations express support for and solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) community in Georgia.
The police have arrested one man for a hate crime related to the sexual orientation of two individuals.
Hundreds of Georgians are marching in Tbilisi today, marking family purity day backed by the Georgian orthodox church, first celebrated in 2014.
What’s May 17 like in Tbilisi?
Police have been on high alert since early morning today as May 17 features two events in Tbilisi: the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) and the Family Purity Day that the Georgian Orthodox Church launched in 2014 to coincide with IDAHOT.
A new survey under the United Nations Joint Programme for Gender Equality has revealed a decreasing tendency of negative attitudes toward the LGBTQI community in Georgia, while still pointing out a “significant challenge” in the protection of the rights of queer people.