The Public Defender of Georgia urges the Ministry of Internal Affairs to permit the residents of Shukruti village, who are protesting in front of Parliament, to set up their tents. Five of the protest participants have been on a hunger strike for 17 days.
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The Public Defender explains that setting up a tent is protected by the freedom of assembly, and denying this right is unjustified when the tent does not block the building's entrance or obstruct traffic.
“There is no such risk on the wide sidewalk in front of the Parliament building. Moreover, no information has been shared regarding the ongoing protest that would suggest real risks of illegal actions by the participants as a result of having the tent,” said Levan Ioseliani.
The Public Defender emphasizes that the state is obligated to provide the necessary conditions to ensure the freedom of assembly, including the right to hold long-term, "occupation-style" protests.
“As the weather worsens, the use of a tent is not only a symbolic gesture protected by law but also a necessary prerequisite for the gathering’s continuation, adding further importance to the state's obligation to fulfill this requirement. It is also crucial to note that among the participants are hunger strikers, whose health requires special attention.
The statement issued by the Office of the Public Defender calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia not to unjustifiably interfere with the rights of the participants in the ongoing peaceful assembly near the Parliament of Georgia and to allow them to use tents in accordance with the law,” said the statement issued by the Office of the Public Defender.
Residents of Shukruti village in Chiatura, whose homes are being destroyed due to manganese mining, have been protesting for 188 days. On September 11, they moved from Chiatura to Tbilisi and spent the night in the open air near the Parliament building, hoping to attract the government’s attention. Despite five people being on hunger strike for 17 days, the police are preventing the protesters from setting up tents.
The residents of Shukruti are demanding that the Georgian Manganese company assess the damage caused to them by the Forensic Expertise Bureau and provide fair compensation to the affected families.
