An Open Letter of Civil Society Representatives to President Saakashvili
To His Excellency, the President of Georgia, Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili
Mr. President
Almost one year has passed since the famous developments of October-November 2003. The anniversary of ‘the rose revolution’ gives us a handle to analyze the ongoing processes, as well as to judge on the achievements or mistakes of the authorities.
Since 1990 the Georgian society stands a good chance of establishing as a unity of free citizens. For the first time during past years the country has the authorities, which enjoy support of a significant part of the population. At the same time, both the Government and the Parliament of Georgia are functioning under conditions of absence of well-organized political opposition, which has a serious influence on the public-political processes. Under such circumstances, the President, the executive government and the ruling party should assume greater responsibility to protect the key attributes of the country, such as freedom of speech and political pluralism.
Unfortunately, alarming developments in Georgian politics made us to send this appeal to you – the President of the country and unilateral leader of the ruling party [National Movement]. Intolerance towards people with different opinions is being planted in Georgian politics and in other spheres of social life (business, education, science, culture, sport etc.). Leaders and officials of the ruling party constantly use the labels introduced at dawn of establishment of Georgian democracy, in the eighties of last century, such as: “the enemy of the nation, traitor, the fifth column”, etc. The recent political debates conducted in the Parliament can clearly confirm this. The disease, which split the Georgian society 15 years ago and led the country to a civil war, has resurfaced. We are extremely concerned, particularly over the fact that in your recent public speeches there are more and more humiliating and insulting statements towards the opponents.
Mr. President
It is a dangerous illusion, that by using these forms of pressure on the people with different opinion, the authorities will manage to consolidate the society in order to implement necessary reforms in the country. Attempts to establish an intellectual dictatorship and mono-opinion will lead the country not to prompt reforms, but to an authoritarian rule and stagnation. The freedom of expression of alternative opinion and discussion is not only a cornerstone of stable, democratic development of the country, but also protects the authorities against making hasty, unprepared decisions. Planting aggressive and insulting manners into debate and discussions, as well as ignorance of fundamental human rights, against the background of difficult social-economic problems, will not lead to the society’s consolidation. Instead, the political opposition may transform into into severe personal confrontation. The opponents of the Georgian state always managed to profit by this factor. We have witnessed such facts in our recent history.
Mr. Saakashvili
You, as the President of Georgia and the Leader of the ruling party, are especially responsible for establishing the normal political environment in the country. The rift and confrontation within the society may lead to catastrophic consequences for Georgia. We call on you to use all the existing levers to avoid the development of undesirable processes in the country.
Respectfully
Paata Zakareishvili
Irakli Melashvili
Gia Nodia
Niko Orvelashvili
Lasha Tugushi
Davit Usupashvili
Zviad Koridze
Devi Khechinashvili
Vakhtang Khmaladze
Ketevan Khutsishvili
Irakli Shavishvili
Nikoloz Shengelaia
Mikheil Chachkhunashvili
Tamar Chikovani
