Azerbaijan National Library has launched a virtual exhibition “October 17 – Fuzuli City Day” as well as a traditional book exhibition with the same name, Azernews reports.
Day: October 17, 2024
U.S. Ambassador to NATO on Georgia
The U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, Julianne Smith, told Washington correspondent Alex Raufoglu, who covers issues related to Georgia, that the United States is very openly expressing its concern about the threat to democratic processes in Georgia.
“This is typical behavior on the part of Russia. It uses disinformation to divide society from within and to try to destroy the unity that exists between allies and partners around the world. We have worked with the Georgian people for many years to see if we can help them deal with this disinformation threat.
The U.S., like many European countries, has been very frank with our Georgian friends about concerns regarding democratic processes and ensuring that the Georgian society’s desire for integration with Western institutions, such as the EU or NATO, is heard loud and clear. We also want them to remain committed to democratic principles, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law,”- Smith stated.
On October 14, British Ambassador Gareth Ward stated in an interview with “Interpressnews” that due to the actions of the Georgian Dream party, the British side had decided to cancel the annual so-called Wardrop Dialogue. High-level talks with the armed forces were also canceled, and the cybersecurity program was suspended.
As the ambassador noted, the steps taken by the Georgian government this year have worsened relations with Western partners.
It is worth noting that on October 14, a meeting of European Union foreign ministers took place, after which EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell held a press conference. Among other issues, he mentioned Georgia, stating that compared to Moldova, the situation in the country looks worse.
On October 17, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell commented on the importance of the upcoming elections in Georgia on the doorstep at the European Council meeting. Among other issues, the Council meeting, which is taking place on 17-18 October in Brussels, will discuss the issue of democratic backsliding and developments in Georgia.
“In Georgia there is a clear democratic backsliding. The next elections will be the moment of truth and the Georgian people will have to decide which way they want to go: towards Europe or getting apart from Europe. This is for us an important moment and for the Georgians – still more because it’s the future of the country, which is at stake,” stated Borrell.
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The fight against the Russian-style Foreign Agents Law continues in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) after the country’s Constitutional Court refused to suspend the law.
Specifically, 16 media organizations, 120 civil society organizations, and four individuals will file a joint complaint with the ECHR, Nona Kurdovanidze, the Director of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), announced at a briefing on October 17.
Announcing a “new stage” in the fight against the law, she said: “The Russian law aims not only to stifle civil society and the media, but also to divide citizens and silence critical voices. The plaintiff organizations work on social issues such as environmental protection, the rights of people with disabilities, judicial reforms, the fight against corruption, investigative journalism, the protection of women and children from violence, etc.”
The plaintiffs will argue that several rights under the European Convention on Human Rights have been violated. These are: Freedom of assembly and association (Article 11); Freedom of expression (Article 10); Right to respect for private and family life (Article 8); Prohibition of discrimination (Article 14); Right to an effective remedy (Article 13); Limitation on the use of restrictions on rights (Article 18).
“Fighting against the independent organizations with Russian methods not only violates basic human rights but also undermines the unwavering choice of the Georgian people for integration into Euro-Atlantic structures,” Kurdovanidze said.
She lamented that the Constitutional Court “refuses to do its duty” by not suspending the anti-constitutional law, but added that the CSOs’ fight against the law continues. “This law will definitely be repealed,” she concluded.
The Constitutional Court of Georgia decided to accept the appeals against the Foreign Agents Law for substantive review, but refused to temporarily suspend the law, finding no irreparable harm in its current operation.
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