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Evidences of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment and persecution against protest participants in Georgia

Individual Cases of Torture and Violence against Protestors in Georgia

November 28 – December 18

This document was prepared by “Georgia’s European Orbit” and Human Rights’ Center of the University of Georgia based on publicly available sources, including media footage, victim testimonies, statements from non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The information provided is intended for informational purposes.

Criminal Cases

November 29 - December 17

The present document concerning the ongoing criminal cases is based on publicly disclosed information provided by media outlets and investigative authorities. It is subject to periodic updates in accordance with publicly available data. The document was prepared by “Georgia’s European Orbit” and Human Rights’ Center of the University of Georgia. The information provided is intended for informational purposes.

Evidence of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment and persecution against protest participants in Georgia

December 9-18

This document was prepared by “Georgia’s European Orbit” and Human Rights’ Center of the University of Georgia based on publicly available sources, including media footage, victim testimonies, statements from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and reports from the Public Defender’s Office. The information provided is intended for informational purposes and reflects the findings of the human rights lawyers based on these sources.

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Illegitimate Parliament Set to Elect President in Violation of Constitutional Deadlines

The unfolding political drama in Georgia reaches new heights of lawlessness as the illegitimate parliament prepares to elect the country’s president on December 14. Not only does this act arise from a body lacking legitimacy, but the election itself flagrantly violates constitutional deadlines and established legal procedures.

The move, orchestrated by “puppet master1” echoes previous attempts to subvert democratic processes, such as the parliamentary session convened before the Constitutional Court’sruling.

The Georgian Constitution (Article 50) clearly stipulates that “the President of Georgia is elected for a term of five years, without debate, by open voting by the electoral college.”
Furthermore, the organic law—defined as the Election Code of Georgia—establishes the procedural framework for presidential elections in Chapter XI, titled “Elections of the

President of Georgia.” Specifically, the Election Code mandates that the presidential election must occur within 45 days after the first session of the newly elected parliament. As the parliament’s inaugural session took place on November 25, the constitutionally valid deadline for the election would be January 9, 2025. Scheduling the election for December 14 not only shortens this timeline without justification but also disrupts key procedures enshrined in the Election Code.

The Legal Violations

1. Election Deadlines Ignored

According to Article 97 of the Election Code, presidential candidates must be nominated at least 30 days before the election and only after the composition of the electoral college is approved. This means that for a December 14 election, the deadline for nominating candidates would have been November 15. However, by November 15, the Central Election Commission (CEC) had not even published the summary minutes of the parliamentary elections (released on November 16).

2. Exceptional Cases Clause Misused

The Election Code (Article 14.1.c) allows the CEC to modify deadlines only in “exceptional cases” where it is impossible to meet the requirements of the law. Such decisions require detailed documentation justifying the circumstances that made adherence to the deadlines unfeasible. In this instance, no such explanation was provided.

3. Irregular Candidate Nomination Process

The CEC approved the electoral college’s composition on December 2, yet a presidential candidate was nominated on November 27—five days before the electoral college’s official formation. This premature nomination contravenes the Election Code. Additionally, the CEC has failed to publish the required documentation, including the formal notice of candidate nomination signed by at least 30 members of the electoral college. ​

The “puppet master” Strikes Again

This blatant disregard for constitutional and legal norms highlights a disturbing pattern of authoritarian manipulation. The same “puppet master” that orchestrated prior unconstitutional parliamentary sessions has now branded the presidential election process with similar illegitimacy.

Georgia’s democratic institutions and constitutional order are being systematically undermined. This latest transgression demonstrates that the illegitimate parliament is not only willing to consolidate power by any means necessary but is also unashamedly disregarding the rule of law.

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“Examining the Environmental and Social Impact of the Belt and Road Initiative: Civic IDEA Leads Panel at CITW 2024 Summit”

On November 24, Ani Kintsurashvili, Senior Researcher at Civic IDEA, alongside Tinatin Khidasheli, Chairwoman of Civic IDEA, led a panel discussion titled “Lessons Learned from the BRI: Examining Environmental Hazards and Regulatory Shortcomings” at the CITW 2024 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

The panel examined environmental and social challenges from Chinese BRI projects in Africa and the South Caucasus. The speakers highlighted that since the launch of the BRI, Chinese investments have attracted significant global attention, increasingly burdening many developing states worldwide and sparking controversies related to environmental concerns, and debt sustainability. 

The session also emphasized the risks to communities, ecosystems and biodiversity and emphasize the need for stronger monitoring, regulatory frameworks, due diligence, and improved information sharing to mitigate spillover effects.

Tap to see the presentation:

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Civic IDEA’s Senior Researcher Ani Kintsurashvili Leads Panel Discussion on Georgia’s Foreign Policy Challenges in Samarkand

On November 21-22, the Senior Researcher of Civic IDEA, Ani Kintsurashvili, attended the “Mapping Spheres of Influence” data journalism conference, which was organized by Anhor.uz and held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. 

The event brought together experts and practitioners to explore key issues in data journalism, focusing on the role of reporting in Central Asia, especially in the context of international economic cooperation, as well as the region’s challenges and opportunities. 

During the conference, Ani took the lead in the panel discussion titled “Surviving the New Cold War,” where she shared her insights on the complex foreign policy dynamics facing Georgia. She highlighted the challenges the country faces in navigating its foreign policy, particularly as the ruling party increasingly aligns with Russia and China. Her analysis also contrasted Georgia’s situation with that of the Central Asian nations, providing a broader regional perspective on the shifting geopolitical landscape.

Civic IDEA’s Senior Researcher Ani Kintsurashvili Leads Panel Discussion on Georgia’s Foreign Policy Challenges in Samarkand Read More »

Articles Featuring Civic Idea’s Insights on Georgian Elections

The articles written on the Georgian elections, in which Tinatin Khidasheli, the chairman of Civic Idea, participated on behalf of the organization.

DE GROENE AMSTERDAMMER

“It is not hard to guess why Civic Idea is the target of Georgian Dream. The NGO investigates, among other things, the role of oligarchs and Russian and Chinese money in Georgian politics. They recently published another report, the bottom line of which is: the major donors to Georgian Dream are all friends and brothers and cousins of Ivanishvili, and all have deepening business interests in Russia and China. In short: Civic Idea is an annoying busybody.”  LINK

la sentienella

DCNews

“We are at a unique moment where the government is transforming the geopolitical orientation and DNA of the nation,” said Tina Khidasheli, president of the NGO Civic Idea and former defense minister. “Georgia’s pro-Western course has always been an exception in the region. Of course, this will be a victory for Russia, but also for all the other authoritarian states that surround us.”

LINK

Dagospia

“Georgia, caught between the authoritarian regimes of Iran, Russia and Turkey, was until now the only “buffer” country, both politically and economically, and the only alternative route to Russia for Central Asian and Azeri trade with the West. “Georgia’s pro-Western course has always been an exception in the region,” Tina Khidasheli, president of the NGO Civic Idea and former Minister of Defense, said yesterday. “Of course, this will be a victory for Russia, but also for all the other authoritarian states that border us.” LINK

Lapsi

“We are at a unique moment when the government is transforming the geopolitical orientation and the DNA of the nation,” said Tina Khidasheli, chair of the NGO Civic Idea and a former defense minister. “Georgia’s pro-Western course has always been an exception in the region. Of course, this will be a victory for Russia, but also for all other authoritarian states that limit us”.

LINK

The guardian

“The government is openly pledging to transform Georgia into a one-party state – a move unprecedented in modern Georgian history,” said Tina Khidasheli, chair of the non-governmental organisation Civic Idea and a former defence minister.

LINK

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“The Wall Street Journal” mentioned the civic idea in its article

“The Wall Street Journal” mentioned the civic idea in its article, which refers to Russia’s obstructive policy in the democratic processes of Georgia and Moldova:

“This month the pro-Western Georgian nonprofit Civic IDEA issued a pair of reports documenting the extensive Russian financial ties of the ruling Georgian Dream party’s top donors.”- mentions the article

Full article: The wall street Journal

“The Wall Street Journal” mentioned the civic idea in its article Read More »

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