Parliament official: amendments to law “in no way restrict peaceful assembly, demonstrations”
Givi Mikanadze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Education and Science Committee, on Thursday said amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations, on review by the legislative body, were focused on the “protection of human life” and “in no way” restricted “peaceful assembly and demonstrations”. Photo: Parliament of Georgia
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Givi Mikanadze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Education and Science Committee, on Thursday said amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations, on review by the legislative body, were focused on the “protection of human life” and “in no way” restricted “peaceful assembly and demonstrations”.
Mikanadze, one of the co-authors of the amendments that would ban construction of “temporary structures” during protests if they “pose danger to demonstrators or other persons”, “interfere with the protection of public order” or “cause disruption in normal operation of enterprises”, said the bill had been created “in compliance with international norms”.
The [domestic] opposition has nothing to say [about the bill]. Radicals are trying to wrap their positions with non-existent motives. The bill is focused on the interests of the public, on more values, on the protection of human life, and does not in any way restrict peaceful assembly and demonstrations”, Mikanadze said.
The Parliament approved the bill in the first of three readings through supporting votes of 75 MPs, with 23 voting against. Those voting against the amendments claimed they could pose threats to the right of expression and hamper peaceful demonstrations. The amendments will be reviewed in two further sessions at the lawmaking body.
The Office of the Public Defender of Georgia on Wednesday said the bill represented an “intense” interference with freedom of expression and assembly, and further pointed out that such restriction of freedom of expression in a democratic society can be justified only by the need to protect an “important, weighty” interest, which “is not revealed by the presented bill”.
The Georgian Parliament on Wednesday approved amendments in the domestic Law on Assembly and Manifestation banning installation of “temporary constructions” during rallies on specific occasions in the first of three readings.
Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday commented on the draft amendments to the law of Georgia on Assemblies and Manifestations and said “it is our obligation to prevent unrest” in the country both at the legislative and practical levels, as “revolutionary” actions were planned this fall.
Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, the Deputy Interior Minister of Georgia, on Monday claimed the country’s State Security Service had obtained evidence of a “grave provocation against the state”, in response to the body’s statement over trainings of domestic groups for “anti-Government actions” planned this fall.
The Georgian State Security Service on Monday claimed it had uncovered a plan by former officials of the previous United National Movement Government who were aiming to cause “civil unrest” and overthrow the country’s Government using a “Euromaidan scenario” this fall.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday claimed President Salome Zourabichvili had “already declared she is backing a revolution” in the country, and alleged those opposing the recent bill limiting installation of constructions during public rallies were “looking for unrest in the country”.
Irakli Chikovani, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Sunday said the amendments to the Georgian Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations limiting installation of constructions during public rallies were “necessary for stability”, noting the Parliament would override President Salome Zourabichvili’s veto on the bill.
Irakli Shotadze, the Prosecutor General of Georgia, on Tuesday said Otar Partskhaladze, the former Prosecutor General of Georgia who was in September sanctioned by the United States for alleged links with the Russian intelligence, had had “no connection” with the state body over the past 10 years.
Kakha Kaladze, the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party and Mayor of Tbilisi, on Sunday highlighted the importance of the bill approved by lawmakers to limit installation of constructions during public rallies.
Rati Bregadze, the Georgian Justice Minister, on Tuesday said his body had implemented “all procedures” for termination of Georgian citizenship for Otar Partskhaladze, the former Prosecutor General of Georgia, who was in September sanctioned by the United States for his alleged links with Russian intelligence.