Act Responsibly ? Watchdogs Tell Government, Opposition, Media
Four non-governmental organizations called on the authorities, opposition and media to act responsibly when the anti-government demonstrations start from April 9.
In a joint statement on April 3, Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA); International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED); Transparency International Georgia (TI Georgia) and New Generation New Initiative (nGnI) called on the authorities “to protect the peoples’ right to peacefully demonstrate.”
“The government should take into account the issues raised by the demonstrators,” it says.
The statement calls on the organizers of the planned rallies “to ensure that their calls and actions are within the framework of the law” and called on the participants of the rally “ not provoke violence.”
“Organizers should take responsibility for their actions and should actively work to promote a peaceful demonstration,” the statement reads.
It also calls on the media “to ensure accurate, objective and timely coverage” of the rallies.
“We hope the demonstration will be conducted within the legal framework and the mistakes committed on November 7, 2007, will not be repeated,” the four groups said.
