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to the Governments of US & EU member states,
European Institutions & International Organizations
With great respect the Great Council of the Professors of Tbilisi State University informs you that violation by the Government of Georgia of Human Rights and Civil Laws have been taking place at the University since 2004. During this period Government systematically is sending police forces and armed people to the University. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and the administration of the University which is appointed by the President are always attended by the armed people even during the meetings with the professors and students.
The Great Council of Professors of the Tbilisi State University, demands to the Ministry of Education and Science, the Government and the Parliament of Georgia to follow the Regulations of the reforms in Education and Science that rest on the Constitution and Civil Law.
In answer to these demands the Government has sent the police forces into the University on June 19-20, 2006. Using violence they forced the professors of the University to leave the University building. The Government openly fights against the freedom of speech and expressing of the free will of the Professors and students inside the University.
We - the professors of Tbilisi State University are opposing the violence and dictate in our University in the 21 century, we are fighting for our rights for freedom and independence, for real democracy. We want to underline that even in the last decade of the Communist regime such open violence and dictate was not used in our University.
It is very strange that the new Government of Georgia which came to the power after the "Rose Revolution" and is strongly supported by the Government of US and European countries is freely and openly using violence and dictate against the most democratic institution - University and is trying to transform this democratic institution into the absolutely totalitarian institution ruled only by the Government.
This is not the policy that is supported by the USA and Europe?
We know very well that the Universities in US & Europe have absolute freedom and academic autonomy. Based on this knowledge the professors of Tbilisi State University ask for expressing your support in our attempts to opposite violence and dictate in our University, to defend its autonomy and academic freedom.
With best regards,
The Great Council of Tbilisi State University Professors
June 21, 2006 |
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Appeal of the Tbilisi State University Professors
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to the Governments of US & EU member states,
European Institutions & International Organizations
With great respect the Great Council of the Professors of Tbilisi State University informs you that violation by the Government of Georgia of Human Rights and Civil Laws have been taking place at the University since 2004. During this period Government systematically is sending police forces and armed people to the University. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and the administration of the University which is appointed by the President are always attended by the armed people even during the meetings with the professors and students.
The Great Council of Professors of the Tbilisi State University, demands to the Ministry of Education and Science, the Government and the Parliament of Georgia to follow the Regulations of the reforms in Education and Science that rest on the Constitution and Civil Law.
In answer to these demands the Government has sent the police forces into the University on June 19-20, 2006. Using violence they forced the professors of the University to leave the University building. The Government openly fights against the freedom of speech and expressing of the free will of the Professors and students inside the University.
We - the professors of Tbilisi State University are opposing the violence and dictate in our University in the 21 century, we are fighting for our rights for freedom and independence, for real democracy. We want to underline that even in the last decade of the Communist regime such open violence and dictate was not used in our University.
It is very strange that the new Government of Georgia which came to the power after the "Rose Revolution" and is strongly supported by the Government of US and European countries is freely and openly using violence and dictate against the most democratic institution - University and is trying to transform this democratic institution into the absolutely totalitarian institution ruled only by the Government.
This is not the policy that is supported by the USA and Europe?
We know very well that the Universities in US & Europe have absolute freedom and academic autonomy. Based on this knowledge the professors of Tbilisi State University ask for expressing your support in our attempts to opposite violence and dictate in our University, to defend its autonomy and academic freedom.
With best regards,
The Great Council of Tbilisi State University Professors
June 21, 2006 |
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Statement by Georgia´s 4 opposition political parties about Igor Giorgadze Party
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May 25, 2006
Civilized relationship, honest competition and constructive dialogue on common national issues among political parties with different world views is a significant pre-requisite for the formation of a strong nation based on the rule of law and civil society.
Given that the ruling party is trying its best to impose full control over the state institutions and fragment the society, close relations among Georgia´s opposition parties is gaining even greater significance.
Under the current situation it is practically useless for us to hold debates and discussions on our different worldviews (which is one of the primary functions for the political parties in a democratic system) and talk about our parties´ successes. The infantilism and the authoritarian aspirations of the members of the ruling party seriously jeopardize the security and stability of our nation, which can be avoided only through our united efforts.
It is very important that we maintain our mutual respect and dialogue further and establish this kind of relations with other political parties. However, this kind of relations takes a firm pre-condition - loyalty to the strategic, national interests of Georgia. We cannot consider the revanchist parties and groups that are operating through the protection and funds they receive from the Russian governmental circles, as loyal to this kind of interests; the parties that are led by Igor Giorgadze´s [former Georgian state security minister in exile in Russia] "Justice" party. The past and present of the leaders of these groups make it hard for us to believe that they form their political course through their own principles and ideals and not by the orders from various Russian special services.
Besides, on the one hand, the ruling party is trying to win the electorate by creating an image of enemy from Igor Giorgadze and on the other hand, discredit us as opposition parties by spreading rumors about our "co-operation" with him. It is very realistic that Saakashvili and Giorgiadze will, through a co-ordinated strategy, try to create opposing poles thus neutralizing the main opposition forces just as Shevardnadze and Abashidze managed to do this in the past.
With the above-said in mind, we state that the undersigned political parties fully and permanently disassociate themselves from Igor Giorgadze and his party, rule out any co-operation with him and inform the society immediately of every for of alliance between Saakashvili and Igor Giorgadze´s party.
David GAMKRELIDZE MP
New Rights (Conservative) Party Chairman
Konstantine GAMSAKHURDIA
Freedom Party Leader
David USUPASHVILI
Republican Party Chairman
Koba DAVITASHVILI MP
Conservative Party Chairman |
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Memorandum of Georgian Opposition MP´s about Boycott
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To: Ms. Nino Burjanadze
Chairwoman of the Parliament of Georgia
Cc: Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili
President of Georgia
April 10, 2006
We express utter dismay with regard to the politically motivated incidents that have taken place in our country recently. The confrontation between the authorities and the opposition, as well as the various groups of our society has reached a dangerous level:
- After making a few critical comments about the President, Valeri Gelashvili, a member of the Parliament, was severely beaten in July 2005. The people behind the beating are still unpunished.
- On December 2, 2005, the so-called "zonder squads" formed by the authorities, violently disputed the Tbilisi City Council sitting and beat the members of the opposition parties. None of those involved in this incident has been punished to this day.
- Sandro Girgvliani, a senior bank worker, was beaten to death earlier this year. Senior officials of the Interior Ministry were alleged to have been involved in the murder. This latest incident has once again backed up the reports that the law-enforcement agencies incorporated the so-called "death squads" within themselves. However, despite the overwhelming public protest and anger over the incident, the Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili has not resigned and those behind the murder have not yet been brought to justice.
- When the opposition strictly condemned the beating of the MP Valeri Gelashvili in retaliation for his critical comments on the authorities, the ruling regime responded by expelling and abdicating Mr. Gelashvili from the Parliament in March 31, 2006.
Given the current circumstances, the signatory MPs of this document consider that the only way out from the current situation is to put an end to the growing violence and hold democratic local elections. The policy pursued by the authorities, which has established single-party electoral administration, makes us think that the authorities are preparing for the total falsification of the elections. Moreover, the grave potential consequences herefrom should not be hard to imagine. With all the above mentioned in mind, we urge the authorities to take the following necessary measures immediately in order to defuse the political crisis:
1. introducing democratic amendments to the electoral legislation - that is, creating parity-based electoral commissions instead of single-party administration.
2. holding direct elections of city mayors and town administration heads.
3. sacking the Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili and starting the ministry´s structural re-organization and decentralization. Putting an immediate end to the uncontrolled ravages of the so-called "zonder squads" which are disposed of by the Interior Ministry and the ruling party.
Considering the issues mentioned above, we state our readiness to launch effective dialogue with the authorities in order to overcome the political crisis our country has been plunged in. At the same time, under the existing circumstances, we deem it useless to participate in the plenary sessions of the practically impotent Parliament [in accordance with the 8th clause of the 135th article of the parliament´s regulations code].
We reserve the right to resort to any peaceful form of protest until the crisis is completely settled. We also urge the citizens of Georgia to fully use their civil rights and make the authorities hold free and fair democratic elections.
If steps will not be taken to remove the confrontation between the opposition and the authorities, and if the authorities continue erecting walls between themselves and their own citizens, all the responsibility will lie with President Mikheil Saakashvili.
We call upon the international community and to provide assistance to the young Georgian state and exert pressure on the incumbent Georgian authorities to prevent any attempt at creating an authoritarian regime in the country.
MEMBERS OF THE PARLIAMENT OF GEORGIA:
Right Opposition (New Conservatives) Group:
Gamkrelidze David - Chairman
Nachkebia Manana - Secretary
Chikhradze Pikria
Guntsadze Koka
Iashvili Irakli
Karseladze Vakhtang
Katsitadze Mamuka
Saganelidze David
Totladze Mzia
Ujmajuridze David
Democratic Front Group:
Zurabishvili David - Chairman
Dzidziguri Zviad - Deputy chairman
Berdzenishvili David - Deputy chairman
Kukava Kakha - Secretary
Berdzenishvili Levan
Bukia Giga
Davitashvili Koba
Gachechiladze Levan
Gujabidze Bidzina
Gunava Bezhan
Jojua Grigol
Khaindrava Ivliane
Natsvlishvili Lasha
Nergadze Teimuraz
Tortladze Gia
Tsanava George
Industrialists´ Group:
Tkemaladze Zurab - Chairman
Giuashvili Kakha - Deputy chairman
Tsagareishvili George - Deputy chairman
Gogichashvili Tengiz
Kacheishvili Tamaz
Kostava Zurab
Kurdovanidze Paata
Meltonyan Haik
Parunashvili Nugzar
Salakaia George
Independent Majoritarians Group:
Narchemashvili Lasha
MPs out of groups:
Dolishvili Temur
Pipia Gocha
IN TOTAL: 39 MPs |
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Right (Conservative) Opposition Parliamentary Group calls press conference on Tbilisi State University unrest
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On June 20, 2006, the Right (Conservative) Opposition Group held a press conference related to the "barbaric" incident that happened during the night in the Tbilisi State University.
Dozens of professors gathered at the university to protest against the reforms being carried out in the University. According to the reform the incumbent professors will have to undergo a special re-testing in order to stay on their jobs. This has infuriated a lot of professors who have been working in the university for many years.
Pikria Chikradze MP said: "There were some provocative statements made that the University doors were broken in and that the professors and lecturers forcefully broke into the room, which is a lie. Had we not been there, the things would have gone even worse."
Chikhradze also criticized the acting rector of the University Gia Khubua. "I contacted Khubua and asked him not to take this step. He seemed very intimidated and alarmed, but I could feel he could not have had any impact on the processes. He is only a puppet in Lomaia´s [education minister] hands. A real rector would have resisted the police and not the other way around," Chikradze pointed out.
As to the actions of the police, Chikradze called them "Bolsheviks who persecute professors and lecturers through violence."
Chikradze noted that Khubua has no moral right to be on the post and called for his resignation, because "Khubua registered himself on his own discretion in the list of candidates for rector’s post. Today, the fate of education is in the hands of people who are full of cynicism who instead of running around in football shirts had better stand besides the university professors in their plight."
Manana Nachkebia MP said: "Carrying out reforms in this manner by Minister Lomaia is nothing but amorality. In this way he is discrediting the professors who have worked all their lives in the university." Nachkebia also recalled the Rose Revolution and noted that "the authorities who came to power through violence have no moral right to treat the revered professors in such a way."
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