US Concerned Over Recent Violations of Religious Rights in Georgia

(Tbilisi, May 10, 2003. Civil Georgia) – “The United States is deeply concerned about a shocking situation, that being the continuing violence against Jehovah’s Witnesses and other religious minorities in Georgia,” US ambassador Stephan Minikes told the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna May 8.

According to the Office of International Information Programs, US Department of State the latest episode of violence and intimidation, which involves members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and occurred in a Tbilisi courtroom on April 29th during the high-profile trial of the defrocked Orthodox priest Basili Mkalavishvili.

“The Jehovah’s Witnesses plaintiffs in the case were victimized all over again in a courtroom ostensibly established to provide them with justice,” US ambassador recounted how the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ lawyer and those testifying on their behalf, and also observers from the OSCE and Human Rights Watch were physically assaulted by the defendant and his followers inside the courtroom and then harassed by Georgian police outside.

“This trial has become a travesty of justice. It damages greatly the reputation of a country that has otherwise taken pride in its religious tolerance. We call on the Government of Georgia to investigate this trial and to take appropriate action against those involved, including the presiding judge and law enforcement officials,” Minikes said.

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