HRW Tells Bush to Press November Events at Meeting with Saakashvili

Human Rights Watch told U.S. President George W. Bush in an open letter “to emphasize the importance of justice and accountability for violence that shook the country on November 7” during his planned meeting with President Saakashvili on March 19

“The Georgian government deserves credit for taking a number of important steps to diffuse the political crisis since November 7. Presidential elections were held in January, the closed television station, Imedi, was allowed to resume broadcasting in December, and several political prisoners were recently released. We are aware that the Georgian General Prosecutor’s Office has initiated investigations into handful of cases of possible excessive use of force on November 7, but a thorough and comprehensive investigation is still lacking. In order to restore full confidence in the newly reelected Saakashvili government, a comprehensive, independent, and transparent investigation into the use of force on November 7, is urgently needed,” the latter reads.

The letter notes that the Georgian authorities were ready to establish a special parliamentary commission after the elections this May to probe into the November events. “However, a parliamentary commission is no substitute for a prompt and effective criminal investigation led by the General Prosecutor’s Office,” it said.

“No friend of Georgia is in a better position than you to press this issue with President Saakashvili. The United States has been one of Georgia’s closest and strongest allies and has invested tremendous political and financial capital in promoting democracy in Georgia. The United States should promote justice in Georgia today as vigorously as it has championed Georgia’s democracy in the past,” HRW told the U.S. President.

The White House said ahead of the meeting between the two presidents that Georgia “is a key ally in the war on terror, particularly in Iraq, and a valuable partner in an important region.”

“The [U.S.] President looks forward to discussing a range of issues with President Saakashvili, including our common efforts to advance freedom and security around the world; Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations; efforts to promote a peaceful resolution to the separatist conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia within a unified Georgia; the Georgian government’s ongoing democratic reform efforts, particularly in advance of parliamentary elections; and cooperation on energy security.”