The Government of Georgia accepts with great seriousness Tuesday's judgment by the European Court of Human Rights that Georgian authorities in 2000-2001 tolerated severe harassment of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Government will ensure that the victims are rapidly provided the due remedies, as laid out in the judgment, reports GHN based on the press service of the Prime Minister.
Georgia is firmly committed to protecting freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as well as human rights in general. The country is determined to ensure equality before the law and accountability for human rights abuses. In particular, it will never again allow a climate of impunity or toleration towards such abuses.
At the same time, Georgia will make sure that individuals are accountable for violations and injustices in the past, irrespective of whether those responsible were state officials. The Government will make sure that victims of past injustices are compensated fairly.
A National Human Rights Strategy for 2014-2020 was adopted in April in order to bring the Georgia's legal and human rights culture in line with European standards. It places particular priority on physical and personal freedom, as well as political and social-economic rights. A comprehensive Action Plan, to be executed this year and next, will ensure that all parts of the government will be held accountable for upholding the Strategy.
One example of the Strategy's ambition is the Law of Georgia on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination, adopted by the Parliament in May 2014. This law aims to eradicate discrimination in both public and private sectors and to ensure equal enjoyment of rights by every person.
These moves reinforce Georgia's commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights and its other international obligations. In particular, the Association Agreement signed with the European Union in June 2014 and which we are now implementing, specifies respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the rule of law.
