US, Georgian Orthodox Church Call Authorities to Curb Religious Violence

(Tbilisi February 1, 2003. Civil Georgia) -Georgian Orthodox Church in its appeal to the Georgian government urges to curb religious violence and condemns the January 24 attack in Tbilisi by a mob led by defrocked Orthodox priest Basil Mkalavishvili, on an ecumenical service.

The US delegation at the OSCE Permanent Council also voiced its concern regarding the January 24 attack on an ecumenical service organized by the Baptist church and including clergy from the Armenian Apostolic, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Georgian Orthodox, and Evangelical Baptist churches.

Deputy Head of the US delegation at OSCE Douglas Davidson said while speaking concerning the wide range of activities of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Council, that the US must register its strong concern for the January 24 attack in Tbilisi.

“The OSCE cannot accept that rights of persons to worship freely be impinged. We strongly urge the Government of Georgia to take decisive action, including punishment of those who engage in violence, to confront the issue of the deteriorating religious freedom situation there,” Douglas Davidson stated.

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