Embassies and International Representatives Urge Action to Protect LGBTQI+ Rights in Georgia
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
A joint statement was issued by the embassies and international representative offices accredited in Georgia on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
The statement says that LGBTQI+ individuals face daily harassment, discrimination, and stigmatization, and are subjected to hostility and violence. The embassies emphasize that these individuals are denied the opportunity to live with dignity as free and equal members of Georgian society. The statement urges the government of Georgia, as well as political, civil, and religious leaders, to safeguard human rights in general and to actively denounce hatred, discrimination, and violence.
Furthermore, the statement underlines that the stigmatization, discriminatory expressions, and hate speech propagated by certain public officials, politicians, media representatives, and members of the clergy intensify the harassment faced by LGBTQI+ individuals, placing their lives in jeopardy.
"We welcome the growing public support for the protection of minority rights in Georgia. Since 2015, the number of individuals advocating for the protection of LGBTQI+ rights has doubled. Additionally, we commend the provisions in the Georgian Law 'On the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination' since 2014 that protect individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We acknowledge the diligent efforts of government agencies and civil society organizations in ensuring comprehensive protection of human rights and freedoms."
However, we are concerned that despite the efforts, progress in this direction has been delayed. The newly adopted national policy documents, in particular, the National Human Rights Protection Strategy of Georgia for 2022-2030, the State Concept of Gender Equality of Georgia and Vision 2030 - Development Strategy of Georgia, do not include mechanisms for strengthening the protection and inclusion of LGBTQI+ persons.
Stigmatization, discriminatory expressions and hate speech by some public officials, politicians, media and clergy contribute to further harassment of LGBTQI+ persons and endanger their lives. In recent years, the majority of people who clearly instigated and committed violence against LGBTQI+ persons, including the organizers of the violent disruption of the July 2021 Pride Week, have not been brought to justice. This further limits the ability of LGBTQI+ persons to exercise their right to peaceful assembly," the statement reads.
The joint statement was published by the United Nations Organization in Georgia, the European Union Representation in Georgia, various embassies in Georgia such as the United States, New Zealand, Belgium, Bulgaria, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Greece, France, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. As well as the European Investment Bank Regional Representative Office in the South Caucasus and the Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia.
