GEORGIA:

TV JOURNALIST INTIMIDATED

TV journalist Akaki Gogichaishvili, the author and chief of the independent TV company Rustavi-2 Sunday program "Sixty Minutes," which is aimed at disclosing violations of the law, said that he had been threatened by the General Prosecutor's Office on 19 May. Assistant General Prosecutor A. Baluashvili had allegedly suggested that he stop airing the program and leave Georgia or "action" would be taken against him. The threat is believed to be due to the fact that Gogichaishvili and his staff disclosed corruption and human rights violations by senior Georgian authorities and persons belonging to those circles. When Gogichaishvili asked if there are no courts of law to deal with these kinds of issues, the vice prosecutor general reportedly replied that there was no need to involve a court in the matter.

According to ISHR-Georgia, Akaki Gogichaishvili categorically refused to take his TV program off the air and emigrate, thus putting his security is at risk.

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Source: The National Section of Georgia of the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR), 21 May 2000.

For more information please contact the ISHR-GEORGIA, tel/fax +995-32-348651,

E-mail: ishr_georgia@hotmail.com

IHF OPEN LETTER ON POLITICAL PRISONERS

On 7 June, the IHF sent an open letter to Zurab Jvania, chairman of the Georgian Parliament, expressing its appreciation for the government's decision to release many political prisoners – including those who were amnestied in April. The IHF said that this act represented a positive gesture that not only helped the individuals involved, but also reflected well on the Georgian government.

The IHF thanked Chairman Jvania for his personal engagement on behalf of this decision, his establishment of the Parliamentary Commission for National Reconciliation, and his support for the chairmanship of Vasil Maglaperidze, who is known for his commitment to human rights.

The IHF reminded Chairman Jvania that the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly (Opinion No. 209 of 1999) recommended that Georgia "review the cases of persons convicted or detained for their part in the political upheavals of 1991-92 within two years after its accession" (para. 10 iv.e). It asked him to move forward with the process with regard to the over 50 imprisoned individuals who were members and supporters of the government of former President Gamsakhurdia.

"As we have stated in the past, we believe that their release is essential to the process of national reconciliation - a process that has been encouraged by the establishment of the special parliamentary commission," wrote the IHF, who also offered its assistance and cooperation in this work.

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Source: IHF

For more information please contact the IHF, tel. +43-1-408-8822, e-mail office@ihf-hr.org