NGOs: The practice of administrative detention violates the rights guaranteed by the Constitution
The practice of administrative detention violates the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, NGOs say in a statement.
Non-governmental organizations respond to the July 31, 2023, public protest that followed the arrival of a Russian cruise ship in Batumi.
According to the statement, the police did not protect the freedom of assembly and expression guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and prevented the participants of the protest from expressing their protest in a peaceful manner.
"In order to prevent the expression of protest, the police, along with physical obstacles, also used the practice of administratively arresting the protestors. The number of detainees is more than 20. Despite the fact that a detainee has the right to meet with a lawyer upon arrest, the use of this right was prevented by the police. Most of the detainees are protected by the lawyers of the signatory organizations, however, for several hours yesterday, it was unknown to them where the detainees were. Detainees could be visited only at the end of the day, in the temporary detention centers of various cities (Zugdidi, Ozurgeti, Senaki, Samtredia). It should be noted that some of the detainees talk about the excesses of force on the part of the police, which continued both during and after the arrest. The illegal detention has not ended yet and the participants of the protest remain in isolation cells. It is not known when they will be taken to court.
The developments once again confirm that the existing legislation on administrative offenses is a repressive instrument in the hands of the police, which is used for unjustified restriction of rights.
Illegal administrative detention and post-detention practices are unacceptable and violate fundamental human rights. We are ready to protect the rights of activists and together with them oppose the practice of illegal detention," the statement reads.
Signatory organizations: GYLA, ISFED; TI Georgia; Georgian Democratic Initiative (GDI); Rights Georgia.
