| GEORGIA Georgia Sak'art'velo Joined United Nations: 31 July 1992 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 05/26/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
T'bilisi
4,600,825 (July 2010 est.)
Mikheil Saakashvili
President since 25 January 2004
President since 25 January 2004
President elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible
for a second term); election last held 5 January 2008
Next scheduled election: January 2013
for a second term); election last held 5 January 2008
Next scheduled election: January 2013
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
Nikoloz Gilauri
Prime Minister since 19 November 2007
Prime Minister since 19 November 2007
The prime minister is selected by the president with the consent
of the parliament. The president is the chief of state and head of
government for the power ministries: state security (includes
interior) and defense; the prime minister is head of the remaining
ministries of government.
of the parliament. The president is the chief of state and head of
government for the power ministries: state security (includes
interior) and defense; the prime minister is head of the remaining
ministries of government.
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Georgian 83.8%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5%, other 2.5% (2002 census)
| RELIGIONS |
Orthodox Christian 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7%
(2002 census)
(2002 census)
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Republic comprised of 9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 9 cities (k'alak'ebi, singular - k'alak'i), and 2
autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Legal system is based on civil law system;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 5 January
2008 (next to be held January 2013)
Legislative: Unicameral Supreme Council (commonly referred to as Parliament) or Umaghiesi Sabcho (235 seats -
150 elected by party lists); members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 21 May 2008 (next to be held in spring 2012)
Judicial: Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's or chairman of the Supreme
Court's recommendation); Constitutional Court; first and second instance courts
autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Legal system is based on civil law system;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 5 January
2008 (next to be held January 2013)
Legislative: Unicameral Supreme Council (commonly referred to as Parliament) or Umaghiesi Sabcho (235 seats -
150 elected by party lists); members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 21 May 2008 (next to be held in spring 2012)
Judicial: Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's or chairman of the Supreme
Court's recommendation); Constitutional Court; first and second instance courts
| LANGUAGES |
Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in
Abkhazia
Abkhazia
| BRIEF HISTORY |
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of more than 10% in 2006-07, based on strong inflows of foreign
investment and robust government spending. However, GDP growth slowed to 2.1% in 2008 following the August
2008 conflict with Russia, and the economy contracted by about 7% in 2009 as foreign direct investment and
workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis. Georgia's main economic activities include the
cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese and copper; and
output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, aircraft and
chemicals. Areas of recent improvement include growth in the construction, banking services, and mining sectors, but
reduced availability of external investment and the slowing regional economy are emerging risks. The country imports
nearly all its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity, a growing
component of its energy supplies. Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages and gas supply interruptions
of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by increasingly relying on natural gas imports from Azerbaijan
instead of from Russia. The construction on the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas
pipeline, and the Kars-Akhalkalaki Railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location
between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit point for gas, oil and other goods. Georgia has historically
suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, the government, since coming to power in 2004, has
simplified the tax code, improved tax administration, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty
corruption. However, the current economic downturn has eroded the tax base and led to a decline in the budget
surplus and an increase in public borrowing needs. The country is pinning its hopes for renewed growth on a
determined effort to continue to liberalize the economy by reducing regulation, taxes, and corruption in order to
attract foreign investment, but the economy faces a more difficult investment climate both domestically and
internationally.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Georgia)
investment and robust government spending. However, GDP growth slowed to 2.1% in 2008 following the August
2008 conflict with Russia, and the economy contracted by about 7% in 2009 as foreign direct investment and
workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis. Georgia's main economic activities include the
cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese and copper; and
output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, aircraft and
chemicals. Areas of recent improvement include growth in the construction, banking services, and mining sectors, but
reduced availability of external investment and the slowing regional economy are emerging risks. The country imports
nearly all its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity, a growing
component of its energy supplies. Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages and gas supply interruptions
of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by increasingly relying on natural gas imports from Azerbaijan
instead of from Russia. The construction on the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas
pipeline, and the Kars-Akhalkalaki Railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location
between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit point for gas, oil and other goods. Georgia has historically
suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, the government, since coming to power in 2004, has
simplified the tax code, improved tax administration, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty
corruption. However, the current economic downturn has eroded the tax base and led to a decline in the budget
surplus and an increase in public borrowing needs. The country is pinning its hopes for renewed growth on a
determined effort to continue to liberalize the economy by reducing regulation, taxes, and corruption in order to
attract foreign investment, but the economy faces a more difficult investment climate both domestically and
internationally.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Georgia)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
The Georgian government claims to have restored "constitutional order" in the Upper Kodori Gorge - The sole
Georgia-controlled part of breakaway region Abkhazia. Mikheil Saakashvili resigned from the position of the
President on November 25, 2007 as the Constitution of Georgia requires the president stands down at least 45 days
before the next election in order to be eligible for retaking part him/herself. The Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia
Mrs. Nino Burjanadze took over the position until the results were announced on January 5, 2008.
The registration for presidential elections was officially closed on November 27. 22 people, including the most recent
president Mikheil Saakashvili, approved candidate of the united opposition Levan Gachechiladze, influential
businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili, Leader of the New Right Party David Gamkrelidze, the Leader of the Georgian
Labour Party Shalva Natelashvili, the Leader of Hope Party Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia and Giorgi Maisashvili put
forward themselves for forthcoming elections.
On November 27 it was announced that a NATO membership referendum and election date referendum will also be
held on the election day together with presidential elections. The November 7 elections determined that more than
77% of the population voted in favor to NATO membership.
Mikhail Saakashvili on May 22, 2008 announced his confident victory for his ruling party in parliamentary polls amid
fears of political unrest, and rising tensions between Georgia and Russia. Early official results indicated his United
National Movement had 63% of the votes against the opposition's 13%, with about a quarter of the 3,664 precincts.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Georgia
Georgia-controlled part of breakaway region Abkhazia. Mikheil Saakashvili resigned from the position of the
President on November 25, 2007 as the Constitution of Georgia requires the president stands down at least 45 days
before the next election in order to be eligible for retaking part him/herself. The Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia
Mrs. Nino Burjanadze took over the position until the results were announced on January 5, 2008.
The registration for presidential elections was officially closed on November 27. 22 people, including the most recent
president Mikheil Saakashvili, approved candidate of the united opposition Levan Gachechiladze, influential
businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili, Leader of the New Right Party David Gamkrelidze, the Leader of the Georgian
Labour Party Shalva Natelashvili, the Leader of Hope Party Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia and Giorgi Maisashvili put
forward themselves for forthcoming elections.
On November 27 it was announced that a NATO membership referendum and election date referendum will also be
held on the election day together with presidential elections. The November 7 elections determined that more than
77% of the population voted in favor to NATO membership.
Mikhail Saakashvili on May 22, 2008 announced his confident victory for his ruling party in parliamentary polls amid
fears of political unrest, and rising tensions between Georgia and Russia. Early official results indicated his United
National Movement had 63% of the votes against the opposition's 13%, with about a quarter of the 3,664 precincts.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Georgia
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
Russia and Georgia agree on delimiting 80% of their common border, leaving certain small, strategic segments and
the maritime boundary unresolved; OSCE observers monitor volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti
region and the Argun Gorge in Abkhazia; UN Observer Mission in Georgia has maintained a peacekeeping force in
Georgia since 1993; Meshkheti Turks scattered throughout the former Soviet Union seek to return to Georgia;
boundary with Armenia remains undemarcated; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater
autonomy from the Georgian government; Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to discuss the alignment of their
boundary at certain crossing areas
the maritime boundary unresolved; OSCE observers monitor volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti
region and the Argun Gorge in Abkhazia; UN Observer Mission in Georgia has maintained a peacekeeping force in
Georgia since 1993; Meshkheti Turks scattered throughout the former Soviet Union seek to return to Georgia;
boundary with Armenia remains undemarcated; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater
autonomy from the Georgian government; Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to discuss the alignment of their
boundary at certain crossing areas
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDP) |
Refugees (country of origin): 1,100 (Russia)
IDPs: 220,000-240,000 (displaced from Abkhazia and South Ossetia) (2007)
IDPs: 220,000-240,000 (displaced from Abkhazia and South Ossetia) (2007)
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
Limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for
opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia
opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Report: Georgia
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
The constitution of the Georgian republic provides for an executive branch that reports to the president, a unicameral Parliament,
and an independent judiciary. The country has a population of approximately 4.6 million. President Mikheil Saakashvili was
reelected in January 2008 in an election that international observers found consistent with most Organization of Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) democratic election commitments; however, the OSCE also highlighted significant problems,
including widespread allegations of intimidation and pressure, flawed vote-counting and tabulation processes, and shortcomings in
the complaints and appeals process. These and other problems continued into the parliamentary elections in May 2008, which
international observers concluded were uneven and incomplete in their adherence to international standards. Civilian authorities
generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
The main human rights abuses reported during the year included at least one suspected death due to excessive use of force by law
enforcement officers, politically motivated kidnappings and assaults, poor prison conditions, abuse of prisoners, including juveniles,
arbitrary arrest and detention, politically motivated imprisonment, excessive use of force to disperse demonstrations, pressure that
appeared politically motivated on owners of property, lack of due process, government pressure on the judiciary, and senior-level
corruption in the government. Respect for media freedom declined, and there were cases of government interference with the
rights of assembly and association. While three months of protests by the nonparliamentary opposition were generally held
peacefully, there was a clear imbalance in protest-related incidents--crimes against government officials were investigated and
solved quickly, while this was not the case for crimes committed against nonparliamentary opposition activists. There were some
cases of restrictions on religious freedom and a lack of progress on such religious problems as the determination of ownership of
disputed churches and the unequal status of non-Georgian Orthodox religions. Abuse of women and children, trafficking in
persons, and societal discrimination and prejudice against persons based on their sexual orientation were also reported.
Significant human rights achievements included the passage of a reformed criminal procedure code providing for fair trial
protections and for the introduction in Tbilisi of a limited jury trial system; and passage of an amended election code calling for the
first direct election of the Tbilisi mayor.
De facto authorities in the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, supported by several thousand occupying Russian
troops, remained outside the control of the central government. In August 2008 Russia officially recognized the independence of
both territories. Pursuant to "bilateral" agreements between Russia and the de facto authorities, Russian border guards began
controlling the administrative boundaries of the two regions in May and restricted the movement of the local population. A
cease-fire remained in effect in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia, although incidents of violence occurred in both areas. Deprivation
of life, abduction, and arbitrary arrest and detention continued to be serious problems. Except where otherwise noted, figures and
other data do not include the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
The de facto authorities in Abkhazia continued to restrict the rights, primarily of ethnic Georgians, to vote, to participate in the
political process, and to exercise basic rights such as property ownership, business registration, and travel permission. Ethnic
Georgians also suffered harassment by Abkhaz and Russian forces, forced conscription in the Abkhaz "army," a lack of funding for
basic infrastructure maintenance, and limitations on Georgian-language instruction in the Gali district schools.
In August 2008 the de facto authorities in South Ossetia adopted a policy of refusing to permit ethnic Georgians driven out during
and after the conflict return to South Ossetia unless they renounced their Georgian citizenship and took the "citizenship" of the
"Republic of South Ossetia"; in practical terms this often meant accepting a Russian passport. With the exception of the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), international organizations were not allowed regular access to assess the
condition of the local population or to provide humanitarian assistance.
Click here to read more »
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
The constitution of the Georgian republic provides for an executive branch that reports to the president, a unicameral Parliament,
and an independent judiciary. The country has a population of approximately 4.6 million. President Mikheil Saakashvili was
reelected in January 2008 in an election that international observers found consistent with most Organization of Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) democratic election commitments; however, the OSCE also highlighted significant problems,
including widespread allegations of intimidation and pressure, flawed vote-counting and tabulation processes, and shortcomings in
the complaints and appeals process. These and other problems continued into the parliamentary elections in May 2008, which
international observers concluded were uneven and incomplete in their adherence to international standards. Civilian authorities
generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
The main human rights abuses reported during the year included at least one suspected death due to excessive use of force by law
enforcement officers, politically motivated kidnappings and assaults, poor prison conditions, abuse of prisoners, including juveniles,
arbitrary arrest and detention, politically motivated imprisonment, excessive use of force to disperse demonstrations, pressure that
appeared politically motivated on owners of property, lack of due process, government pressure on the judiciary, and senior-level
corruption in the government. Respect for media freedom declined, and there were cases of government interference with the
rights of assembly and association. While three months of protests by the nonparliamentary opposition were generally held
peacefully, there was a clear imbalance in protest-related incidents--crimes against government officials were investigated and
solved quickly, while this was not the case for crimes committed against nonparliamentary opposition activists. There were some
cases of restrictions on religious freedom and a lack of progress on such religious problems as the determination of ownership of
disputed churches and the unequal status of non-Georgian Orthodox religions. Abuse of women and children, trafficking in
persons, and societal discrimination and prejudice against persons based on their sexual orientation were also reported.
Significant human rights achievements included the passage of a reformed criminal procedure code providing for fair trial
protections and for the introduction in Tbilisi of a limited jury trial system; and passage of an amended election code calling for the
first direct election of the Tbilisi mayor.
De facto authorities in the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, supported by several thousand occupying Russian
troops, remained outside the control of the central government. In August 2008 Russia officially recognized the independence of
both territories. Pursuant to "bilateral" agreements between Russia and the de facto authorities, Russian border guards began
controlling the administrative boundaries of the two regions in May and restricted the movement of the local population. A
cease-fire remained in effect in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia, although incidents of violence occurred in both areas. Deprivation
of life, abduction, and arbitrary arrest and detention continued to be serious problems. Except where otherwise noted, figures and
other data do not include the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
The de facto authorities in Abkhazia continued to restrict the rights, primarily of ethnic Georgians, to vote, to participate in the
political process, and to exercise basic rights such as property ownership, business registration, and travel permission. Ethnic
Georgians also suffered harassment by Abkhaz and Russian forces, forced conscription in the Abkhaz "army," a lack of funding for
basic infrastructure maintenance, and limitations on Georgian-language instruction in the Gali district schools.
In August 2008 the de facto authorities in South Ossetia adopted a policy of refusing to permit ethnic Georgians driven out during
and after the conflict return to South Ossetia unless they renounced their Georgian citizenship and took the "citizenship" of the
"Republic of South Ossetia"; in practical terms this often meant accepting a Russian passport. With the exception of the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), international organizations were not allowed regular access to assess the
condition of the local population or to provide humanitarian assistance.
Click here to read more »
14 January 2009
Human Rights Council
Thirteenth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to
development
Report of the Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Walter
Kälin*
Follow-up to the report on the mission to Georgia
Summary
On 5 and 6 November 2009, the Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons
carried out a visit to the Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia to follow up on his mission to Georgia in October 2008. The
Representative had access to all the areas that he requested to see, including Tskhinvali, Akhalgori District and Znauri District, and
held open and frank consultations with the South Ossetian de facto authorities.
As a result of the August 2008 conflict, 19,381 people were internally displaced across the de facto border, while an estimated
10,000 to 15,000 were internally displaced within the Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia. Only very few internally displaced persons
have been able to return to the Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, and of those displaced within South Ossetia, many still await
reconstruction of their houses.
Much of the displacement was caused or followed by violations of international humanitarian law committed by the parties to the
conflict. The Representative is particularly concerned about the deliberate destruction and looting of ethnic Georgian villages in
areas where tensions were high before the conflict. Furthermore, he noted with concern the high degree of destruction of civilian
houses and structures in Tskhinvali, which was also caused by the use of weapons that have an indiscriminate effect in urban
areas.
Click here to read more »
Human Rights Council
Thirteenth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to
development
Report of the Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Walter
Kälin*
Follow-up to the report on the mission to Georgia
Summary
On 5 and 6 November 2009, the Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons
carried out a visit to the Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia to follow up on his mission to Georgia in October 2008. The
Representative had access to all the areas that he requested to see, including Tskhinvali, Akhalgori District and Znauri District, and
held open and frank consultations with the South Ossetian de facto authorities.
As a result of the August 2008 conflict, 19,381 people were internally displaced across the de facto border, while an estimated
10,000 to 15,000 were internally displaced within the Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia. Only very few internally displaced persons
have been able to return to the Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, and of those displaced within South Ossetia, many still await
reconstruction of their houses.
Much of the displacement was caused or followed by violations of international humanitarian law committed by the parties to the
conflict. The Representative is particularly concerned about the deliberate destruction and looting of ethnic Georgian villages in
areas where tensions were high before the conflict. Furthermore, he noted with concern the high degree of destruction of civilian
houses and structures in Tskhinvali, which was also caused by the use of weapons that have an indiscriminate effect in urban
areas.
Click here to read more »
FREEDOM IN THE WORLD REPORT- 2009
Political Rights Score: 4
Civil Liberties Score: 4
Status: Partly Free
Explanatory Note
The numerical ratings and status listed above do not reflect conditions in South Ossetia or Abkhazia, which are examined
in separate reports.
Trend Arrow
Georgia received a downward trend arrow due to flaws in the presidential and parliamentary election processes, including
extensive reports of intimidation and the use of state administrative resources, which resulted in a marked advantage for
the ruling National Movement party.
Overview
President Mikheil Saakashvili won reelection in January 2008, having called an early poll after a controversial crackdown on the
opposition in late 2007. His National Movement party also handily won parliamentary elections in May, but international monitors
noted an array of irregularities. The Georgian state was thoroughly shaken in August, when an outbreak of fighting between
government forces and South Ossetian separatists triggered a massive Russian invasion. Under the terms of a French-brokered
ceasefire that month, Russian troops largely withdrew to the confines of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Georgia’s other breakaway
territory, but the episode led Russia to recognize the independence of both entities. In the aftermath of the conflict, Saakashvili
struggled to fend off domestic criticism as key allies defected to the still-fragmented opposition.
Saakashvili won reelection with roughly 53 percent of the vote, but OSCE observers noted an array of irregularities. Levan
Gachechiladze, candidate of the National Council opposition bloc, placed second with 27 percent; he claimed that fraud had pushed
Saakashvili beyond the 50 percent threshold, preventing a runoff. The ruling party and its allies captured 119 of the 150 seats in
May parliamentary elections, with the opposition again declaring that the balloting was rigged. More than a dozen of the winning
opposition candidates refused to take their seats, and international monitors found that the authorities had failed to correct the
problems noted in the presidential vote.
Georgia’s ambitions to join NATO were dealt a blow in April, when leaders at an alliance summit decided not to offer the country a
Membership Action Plan, which would prepare the way for accession. However, the summit’s final statement predicted that
Georgia would join eventually. The issue took on added importance as tensions with Russia over South Ossetia and Abkhazia
mounted during the spring and summer. Open warfare erupted in South Ossetia in early August, and an ensuing Russian invasion
pressed deep into Georgian territory. A French-brokered ceasefire took hold after more than a week of fighting, and by fall Russian
forces had largely withdrawn to the confines of the two separatist enclaves. Russia recognized the territories’ independence in the
wake of the conflict, but few other countries followed suit. In late December, the OSCE announced that it was ending its long-
standing military monitoring mission in Georgia, citing Russia’s refusal to extend the mandate unless other OSCE members
acknowledged the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. However, European Union civilian monitors would continue to
patrol the regions’ borders under an agreement stemming from the August ceasefire.
In a sign of growing domestic dissatisfaction with Saakashvili’s leadership, Burjanadze announced in October that she was forming
a new opposition party to be known as Democratic Movement–United Georgia; she had previously indicated her break with the
president in April. Several other former allies defected to the opposition during the year, including Saakashvili’s envoy to the United
Nations, who cited the president’s handling of the South Ossetia standoff. On the same day as Burjanadze’s October declaration,
Saakashvili fired prime minister Lado Gurgenidze. The defense and foreign ministers were dismissed two months later, marking the
fourth cabinet reshuffle that year. Several opposition parties mounted a demonstration in November to mark the anniversary of the
2007 crackdown, criticizing the president’s performance and calling for new elections. Other denunciations during the year came
from Georgia’s human rights ombudsman, who said in September that the leadership was abandoning democracy for “authoritarian
rule.”
Click here to read more »
Political Rights Score: 4
Civil Liberties Score: 4
Status: Partly Free
Explanatory Note
The numerical ratings and status listed above do not reflect conditions in South Ossetia or Abkhazia, which are examined
in separate reports.
Trend Arrow
Georgia received a downward trend arrow due to flaws in the presidential and parliamentary election processes, including
extensive reports of intimidation and the use of state administrative resources, which resulted in a marked advantage for
the ruling National Movement party.
Overview
President Mikheil Saakashvili won reelection in January 2008, having called an early poll after a controversial crackdown on the
opposition in late 2007. His National Movement party also handily won parliamentary elections in May, but international monitors
noted an array of irregularities. The Georgian state was thoroughly shaken in August, when an outbreak of fighting between
government forces and South Ossetian separatists triggered a massive Russian invasion. Under the terms of a French-brokered
ceasefire that month, Russian troops largely withdrew to the confines of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Georgia’s other breakaway
territory, but the episode led Russia to recognize the independence of both entities. In the aftermath of the conflict, Saakashvili
struggled to fend off domestic criticism as key allies defected to the still-fragmented opposition.
Saakashvili won reelection with roughly 53 percent of the vote, but OSCE observers noted an array of irregularities. Levan
Gachechiladze, candidate of the National Council opposition bloc, placed second with 27 percent; he claimed that fraud had pushed
Saakashvili beyond the 50 percent threshold, preventing a runoff. The ruling party and its allies captured 119 of the 150 seats in
May parliamentary elections, with the opposition again declaring that the balloting was rigged. More than a dozen of the winning
opposition candidates refused to take their seats, and international monitors found that the authorities had failed to correct the
problems noted in the presidential vote.
Georgia’s ambitions to join NATO were dealt a blow in April, when leaders at an alliance summit decided not to offer the country a
Membership Action Plan, which would prepare the way for accession. However, the summit’s final statement predicted that
Georgia would join eventually. The issue took on added importance as tensions with Russia over South Ossetia and Abkhazia
mounted during the spring and summer. Open warfare erupted in South Ossetia in early August, and an ensuing Russian invasion
pressed deep into Georgian territory. A French-brokered ceasefire took hold after more than a week of fighting, and by fall Russian
forces had largely withdrawn to the confines of the two separatist enclaves. Russia recognized the territories’ independence in the
wake of the conflict, but few other countries followed suit. In late December, the OSCE announced that it was ending its long-
standing military monitoring mission in Georgia, citing Russia’s refusal to extend the mandate unless other OSCE members
acknowledged the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. However, European Union civilian monitors would continue to
patrol the regions’ borders under an agreement stemming from the August ceasefire.
In a sign of growing domestic dissatisfaction with Saakashvili’s leadership, Burjanadze announced in October that she was forming
a new opposition party to be known as Democratic Movement–United Georgia; she had previously indicated her break with the
president in April. Several other former allies defected to the opposition during the year, including Saakashvili’s envoy to the United
Nations, who cited the president’s handling of the South Ossetia standoff. On the same day as Burjanadze’s October declaration,
Saakashvili fired prime minister Lado Gurgenidze. The defense and foreign ministers were dismissed two months later, marking the
fourth cabinet reshuffle that year. Several opposition parties mounted a demonstration in November to mark the anniversary of the
2007 crackdown, criticizing the president’s performance and calling for new elections. Other denunciations during the year came
from Georgia’s human rights ombudsman, who said in September that the leadership was abandoning democracy for “authoritarian
rule.”
Click here to read more »
Georgia: Ministry of Internal Affairs misconstrued Amnesty International’s report on exports of policing equipment
from EU member states to Georgia
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC STATEMENT
10 May 2010
Amnesty International rebuts false assertions of the Georgian Ministry of Interior on 30 March1 alleging that the organization
published inaccurate information with regard to exports of policing and security equipment from EU member states to Georgia in its
report, From Words to Deeds: Making the EU Ban on the trade in ‘tools of torture’ a reality (Index: EUR 01/004/2010).
Amnesty International regrets that the Ministry’s statement has misconstrued Amnesty International’s report in relation to Georgia,
which is based upon published statistics by the governments of the Czech Republic and Germany, and the public reports of the UN
Special Rapporteur on torture.
Georgia is mentioned twice in Amnesty International’s report. First, the report notes that in 2006 exports were authorized from the
Czech Republic of policing/security equipment in a category covering electric-shock devices, combined shackles and chemical
substance sprays, to six countries including Georgia.2 This is based strictly upon statistics supplied by the Ministry of Industry and
Trade of the Czech Republic itself.3 Any alleged inaccuracy in these statistics is a matter for the government of the Czech Republic.
As Amnesty International’s report notes, these types of equipment are not contained within the list of equipment prohibited for
export by European law, and they can have legitimate law enforcement uses in limited circumstances when their use is regulated in
accordance with international human rights obligations and law enforcement best practice standards. However, their export is
controlled under European law due to their propensity to be misused in torture and other ill-treatment when such standards are not
adequately applied.
Amnesty International’s report makes no accusations about the end-user or use of this equipment, but rather argues that the
information provided by the Czech government about these exports from its territory is insufficient to judge whether the Czech
authorities have acted with due diligence, given numerous reports of torture and other ill-treatment committed by some law
enforcement units in Georgia which could be perpetrated using these types of equipment: for instance, reports of torture involving
the use of electric shocks in Georgia.4 The limited information provided by the Czech government about the end-users and
prospective end-use of this equipment made it impossible for the Czech parliament or public to determine whether in all cases the
Czech government had adequately undertaken rigorous pre-export risk assessments of its possible misuse, as is required under
European law.5
Click here to read more »
from EU member states to Georgia
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC STATEMENT
10 May 2010
Amnesty International rebuts false assertions of the Georgian Ministry of Interior on 30 March1 alleging that the organization
published inaccurate information with regard to exports of policing and security equipment from EU member states to Georgia in its
report, From Words to Deeds: Making the EU Ban on the trade in ‘tools of torture’ a reality (Index: EUR 01/004/2010).
Amnesty International regrets that the Ministry’s statement has misconstrued Amnesty International’s report in relation to Georgia,
which is based upon published statistics by the governments of the Czech Republic and Germany, and the public reports of the UN
Special Rapporteur on torture.
Georgia is mentioned twice in Amnesty International’s report. First, the report notes that in 2006 exports were authorized from the
Czech Republic of policing/security equipment in a category covering electric-shock devices, combined shackles and chemical
substance sprays, to six countries including Georgia.2 This is based strictly upon statistics supplied by the Ministry of Industry and
Trade of the Czech Republic itself.3 Any alleged inaccuracy in these statistics is a matter for the government of the Czech Republic.
As Amnesty International’s report notes, these types of equipment are not contained within the list of equipment prohibited for
export by European law, and they can have legitimate law enforcement uses in limited circumstances when their use is regulated in
accordance with international human rights obligations and law enforcement best practice standards. However, their export is
controlled under European law due to their propensity to be misused in torture and other ill-treatment when such standards are not
adequately applied.
Amnesty International’s report makes no accusations about the end-user or use of this equipment, but rather argues that the
information provided by the Czech government about these exports from its territory is insufficient to judge whether the Czech
authorities have acted with due diligence, given numerous reports of torture and other ill-treatment committed by some law
enforcement units in Georgia which could be perpetrated using these types of equipment: for instance, reports of torture involving
the use of electric shocks in Georgia.4 The limited information provided by the Czech government about the end-users and
prospective end-use of this equipment made it impossible for the Czech parliament or public to determine whether in all cases the
Czech government had adequately undertaken rigorous pre-export risk assessments of its possible misuse, as is required under
European law.5
Click here to read more »
Georgia/Russia: A Year Later, Justice Still Needed
EU-Funded Report Stirs Debate About War’s Origins, but Civilians Still Waiting for Justice
October 1, 2009
(New York) - The international community should press Georgia and Russia to bring to justice those who violated the laws of war,
causing many civilian deaths and injuries and widespread destruction of civilian property in last summer's short but deadly conflict,
Human Rights Watch said today. As an EU-funded independent, international fact-finding mission on the conflict in Georgia
published its report on September 30, 2009, the lack of accountability is striking.
"The international community is largely focusing on who fired the first shot, but the need for justice should not be ignored," said
Holly Cartner, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The people whose lives were ruined by fighting are still
waiting for justice. It's hard to imagine how there could be any real reconciliation without it."
The Fact-Finding Mission's 1,129-page report on last year's armed conflict between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia found
that international human rights and humanitarian law violations were committed by Georgian, Russian, and South Ossetian forces.
The violations included indiscriminate attacks by the Georgian and Russian militaries and a widespread campaign of looting and
burning of ethnic Georgian villages, along with ill-treatment, beating, hostage-taking, and arbitrary arrests by South Ossetian forces.
The report also found that the Russian military failed to prevent or stop violations by the Ossetian militia.
The report states that Georgian authorities had opened an investigation into human rights violations, but that it made little progress,
allegedly due to Georgia's lack of access to South Ossetia. It says that Russian authorities had conducted investigations into alleged
violations only by the Georgian military, had dismissed reports of human rights violations by Russian forces, and had proposed that
alleged victims of human rights violations turn to the courts.
"There's no excuse for the failure to carry through with meaningful investigations," said Cartner. "They need to be prompt,
thorough, independent, and impartial, and most of all, they should lead to successful prosecutions."
Click here to read more »
EU-Funded Report Stirs Debate About War’s Origins, but Civilians Still Waiting for Justice
October 1, 2009
(New York) - The international community should press Georgia and Russia to bring to justice those who violated the laws of war,
causing many civilian deaths and injuries and widespread destruction of civilian property in last summer's short but deadly conflict,
Human Rights Watch said today. As an EU-funded independent, international fact-finding mission on the conflict in Georgia
published its report on September 30, 2009, the lack of accountability is striking.
"The international community is largely focusing on who fired the first shot, but the need for justice should not be ignored," said
Holly Cartner, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The people whose lives were ruined by fighting are still
waiting for justice. It's hard to imagine how there could be any real reconciliation without it."
The Fact-Finding Mission's 1,129-page report on last year's armed conflict between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia found
that international human rights and humanitarian law violations were committed by Georgian, Russian, and South Ossetian forces.
The violations included indiscriminate attacks by the Georgian and Russian militaries and a widespread campaign of looting and
burning of ethnic Georgian villages, along with ill-treatment, beating, hostage-taking, and arbitrary arrests by South Ossetian forces.
The report also found that the Russian military failed to prevent or stop violations by the Ossetian militia.
The report states that Georgian authorities had opened an investigation into human rights violations, but that it made little progress,
allegedly due to Georgia's lack of access to South Ossetia. It says that Russian authorities had conducted investigations into alleged
violations only by the Georgian military, had dismissed reports of human rights violations by Russian forces, and had proposed that
alleged victims of human rights violations turn to the courts.
"There's no excuse for the failure to carry through with meaningful investigations," said Cartner. "They need to be prompt,
thorough, independent, and impartial, and most of all, they should lead to successful prosecutions."
Click here to read more »
REMARKS
H.E. Mikheil Saakashsvili, President of Georgia 64th Session of the United Nations Genera; Assembly
New York, September 24, 2009
Mr. President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates.
Today, I stand before you as the democratically elected leader of a proud and sovereign nation.
One year ago, my country was invaded: tanks, war planes, warships, bombs and state-directed cyber hackers descended upon our
towns, villages, cities, infrastructure, and economy.
Hundreds of our people were killed or wounded. Tens of thousands of innocent civilians were forced to flee in the face of ethnic
cleansing that independent human rights organizations have documented.
Today, these acts of brutality have gone unaddressed- in direct contravention of international law, the norms of this institution and
internationally signed agreements designed to reverse these wrongs.
These are the facts that confront us as we gather here today. And these facts do have a name: armed aggression, ethnic cleansing,
mass violations of human rights, and illegal occupation.
Ladies and gentlemen, those who unleashed war in my region and led ethnic cleansing campaigns in my country - said yesterday in
this very hall - that they had to do it to, "implement the principle of indivisibility of security" - in order to, "step over the legacy of the
past era".
The only thing that they stepped over was our sovereign border.
They said they had to do it... As their predecessors had to invade Poland in 1939, Finland in 1940, Hungary in 1956, Czechoslovakia
in 1968, and Afghanistan in 1979. And they had to erase a capital of 400,000 inhabitants - Grozny, to destroy and exterminate the
proud Chechen nation and kill tens of thousands of innocent women and children.
Click here to read more »
H.E. Mikheil Saakashsvili, President of Georgia 64th Session of the United Nations Genera; Assembly
New York, September 24, 2009
Mr. President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates.
Today, I stand before you as the democratically elected leader of a proud and sovereign nation.
One year ago, my country was invaded: tanks, war planes, warships, bombs and state-directed cyber hackers descended upon our
towns, villages, cities, infrastructure, and economy.
Hundreds of our people were killed or wounded. Tens of thousands of innocent civilians were forced to flee in the face of ethnic
cleansing that independent human rights organizations have documented.
Today, these acts of brutality have gone unaddressed- in direct contravention of international law, the norms of this institution and
internationally signed agreements designed to reverse these wrongs.
These are the facts that confront us as we gather here today. And these facts do have a name: armed aggression, ethnic cleansing,
mass violations of human rights, and illegal occupation.
Ladies and gentlemen, those who unleashed war in my region and led ethnic cleansing campaigns in my country - said yesterday in
this very hall - that they had to do it to, "implement the principle of indivisibility of security" - in order to, "step over the legacy of the
past era".
The only thing that they stepped over was our sovereign border.
They said they had to do it... As their predecessors had to invade Poland in 1939, Finland in 1940, Hungary in 1956, Czechoslovakia
in 1968, and Afghanistan in 1979. And they had to erase a capital of 400,000 inhabitants - Grozny, to destroy and exterminate the
proud Chechen nation and kill tens of thousands of innocent women and children.
Click here to read more »
The statement of the Public Defender of Georgia George Tugushi regarding the recent developments
08 05 2010
I express my concern about the developments that unfolded yesterday in Kavkasia TV station, and about the facts of intolerance
that took place in the recent days in Tbilisi. The confrontation has clearly passed the legal boundaries and violated the rights and
freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia, in particular, the freedom of expression, the right to privacy and the freedom
to hold meetings and manifestations.
It is outrageous that the victims of the confrontation were journalists. In particular, on May 7, after part of the studio guests of the
talk show “Barieri” on Kavkasia TV station had stated their different opinions, a group of persons stormed into the studio. They
assaulted the Director General of Kavkasia TV station, Mr. Davit Akubardia as well as five cameramen of the same TV station
physically and verbally.
The policy of intolerance can only harm the statehood of Georgia and the democratic principles based on which the nation building
and the development of civil society is taking place.
It has been repeatedly pointed out in the Public Defender’s reports that the law enforcement bodies are still failing to respond
properly to the facts of intolerance that take place in the country. In particular, in none of such cases revealed by us has
investigation been launched on crimes committed on the grounds of religious intolerance, and no one has been brought to justice.
The lack of will to conduct full and adequate investigation of such crimes on the part of the state has become one of the reasons
which have led us to the present state.
It is important that the Georgian government analyze the present situation and respond adequately to each fact of intolerance. The
Government should pay particular attention to the incident that took place on May 7 in Kavkasia TV station and ensure prompt and
effective investigation of this fact.
Click here to read more »
08 05 2010
I express my concern about the developments that unfolded yesterday in Kavkasia TV station, and about the facts of intolerance
that took place in the recent days in Tbilisi. The confrontation has clearly passed the legal boundaries and violated the rights and
freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia, in particular, the freedom of expression, the right to privacy and the freedom
to hold meetings and manifestations.
It is outrageous that the victims of the confrontation were journalists. In particular, on May 7, after part of the studio guests of the
talk show “Barieri” on Kavkasia TV station had stated their different opinions, a group of persons stormed into the studio. They
assaulted the Director General of Kavkasia TV station, Mr. Davit Akubardia as well as five cameramen of the same TV station
physically and verbally.
The policy of intolerance can only harm the statehood of Georgia and the democratic principles based on which the nation building
and the development of civil society is taking place.
It has been repeatedly pointed out in the Public Defender’s reports that the law enforcement bodies are still failing to respond
properly to the facts of intolerance that take place in the country. In particular, in none of such cases revealed by us has
investigation been launched on crimes committed on the grounds of religious intolerance, and no one has been brought to justice.
The lack of will to conduct full and adequate investigation of such crimes on the part of the state has become one of the reasons
which have led us to the present state.
It is important that the Georgian government analyze the present situation and respond adequately to each fact of intolerance. The
Government should pay particular attention to the incident that took place on May 7 in Kavkasia TV station and ensure prompt and
effective investigation of this fact.
Click here to read more »
European Court delivered important judgments against Georgia
21-10-2009
Yesterday, on 20 October European Court made public a judgment on the case “Gorgiladze vs. Georgia” and found that the
Georgian government had violated Article 3 (prohibition of torture) and Article 6 (right to a fair trial) of the European Convention.
The case originated in an application sent by the organization “Article 42 of the Constitution” in 2004. The applicant Davit
Gorgiladze complained that 1. his case was not examined by a court established by law, as the case was heard by one judge and
two lay juries and that 2. he was placed in inadequate detention conditions.
European Court considered the above issues and found that the jury trial was not established by law in Georgia, as there was no
legal regulation of the judicial functions that the lay juries who were not lawyers, exercised.
As in 2003 Georgia had already ratified the European Convention of Human Rights, it had an obligation to establish a court system
in such a manner as to ensure that principles guaranteed by the European Convention were respected.
European Court held that Gorgiladze was tried and sentenced by unlawful court that breached his right to a fair trial guaranteed by
Article 6 of the European Convention.
In light of the above circumstance the European Court gave a very important instruction to the government of Georgia. It directly
indicated in the judgment that renewal of the case and its fresh examination under the request of the applicant would be the most
effective and adequate remedy of the said violation. It means that any one whose case was examined in a similar way in Georgia
can request the fresh examination of his case by a proper court. The government has an obligation to ensure fulfillment of such
request.
The European Court also examined the case under Article 3 – prohibition of torture and found that the government of Georgia had
also violated the latter, as in Tbilisi prison #5, where Gorgiladze served his sentence, the cells were not ventilated, the toilet facilities
were not isolated from other parts of the cells which prevented the applicant from enjoying the right to personal hygiene. The
applicant had to sleep in turns; furthermore he was not allowed to leave his cell at any time of the day to work or to take a walk.
The European Court held that such conditions resulted in such sufferings that exceeded a level of suffering normally inherent in a
punishment.
The European Court awarded the applicant 5000 Euros for non-pecuniary damage that is to pay by the Georgian government.
Gorgiladze was arrested because of a murder of a father and son in Lanchkhuti in 2002. On 21 May 2003 he was found guilty by a
Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court consisting of one judge and two lay judges and was sentenced to 18 years of
imprisonment. Currently Davit Gorgiladze serves his sentence in Geguti prison #8.
Click here to read more »
21-10-2009
Yesterday, on 20 October European Court made public a judgment on the case “Gorgiladze vs. Georgia” and found that the
Georgian government had violated Article 3 (prohibition of torture) and Article 6 (right to a fair trial) of the European Convention.
The case originated in an application sent by the organization “Article 42 of the Constitution” in 2004. The applicant Davit
Gorgiladze complained that 1. his case was not examined by a court established by law, as the case was heard by one judge and
two lay juries and that 2. he was placed in inadequate detention conditions.
European Court considered the above issues and found that the jury trial was not established by law in Georgia, as there was no
legal regulation of the judicial functions that the lay juries who were not lawyers, exercised.
As in 2003 Georgia had already ratified the European Convention of Human Rights, it had an obligation to establish a court system
in such a manner as to ensure that principles guaranteed by the European Convention were respected.
European Court held that Gorgiladze was tried and sentenced by unlawful court that breached his right to a fair trial guaranteed by
Article 6 of the European Convention.
In light of the above circumstance the European Court gave a very important instruction to the government of Georgia. It directly
indicated in the judgment that renewal of the case and its fresh examination under the request of the applicant would be the most
effective and adequate remedy of the said violation. It means that any one whose case was examined in a similar way in Georgia
can request the fresh examination of his case by a proper court. The government has an obligation to ensure fulfillment of such
request.
The European Court also examined the case under Article 3 – prohibition of torture and found that the government of Georgia had
also violated the latter, as in Tbilisi prison #5, where Gorgiladze served his sentence, the cells were not ventilated, the toilet facilities
were not isolated from other parts of the cells which prevented the applicant from enjoying the right to personal hygiene. The
applicant had to sleep in turns; furthermore he was not allowed to leave his cell at any time of the day to work or to take a walk.
The European Court held that such conditions resulted in such sufferings that exceeded a level of suffering normally inherent in a
punishment.
The European Court awarded the applicant 5000 Euros for non-pecuniary damage that is to pay by the Georgian government.
Gorgiladze was arrested because of a murder of a father and son in Lanchkhuti in 2002. On 21 May 2003 he was found guilty by a
Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court consisting of one judge and two lay judges and was sentenced to 18 years of
imprisonment. Currently Davit Gorgiladze serves his sentence in Geguti prison #8.
Click here to read more »
Georgia is a unitary, emerging liberal democratic nation-state with an ancient historical and cultural heritage. Georgian
civilization stretches back for more than three thousand years of history with an exclusive literary and artistic heritage.
Culturally, historically, and politically Georgia is considered part of Europe; however, the official geographic
classification of the country varies according to different sources. Sometimes Georgia is considered a transcontinental
nation. The English name Georgia is a transliteration of the Hellenistic term (Greek: Γεωργία) derived from Georgios
(Greek: Γεώργιος), a Greek name meaning "farmer"; Georgia here is indicative of a farmland. Georgians used the
Greek and Aramaic alphabets before adopting the Georgian alphabet, reformed by King Pharnavaz I of Iberia,
which is not directly related to any other alphabet in the world. In 337, Christianity was declared the official state
religion in the ancient Georgian Kingdom of Iberia, making Georgia the second oldest country after Armenia (301) to
declare Christianity as her official state religion. The Bible was translated into Georgian in the 5th century. Two early
Georgian Kingdoms of late antiquity, known to ancient Greeks and Romans as Iberia in the east of the country and
Colchis in the west, were among the first nations in the region to adopt Christianity (in 337 AD, or in 319 AD as
recent research suggests.). Colchis is the location of the Golden Fleece sought by Jason and the Argonauts in the
Greek myth and may have derived from the local practice of using fleeces to sift gold dust from rivers. Known to its
natives as Egrisi or Lazica, Colchis often saw battles between the rival power of Persia and the Byzantine Empire,
both of which managed to conquer Western Georgia from time to time. As a result, those Kingdoms disintegrated
into various feudal regions in the early Middle Ages. This made it easy for Arabs to conquer Georgia in the 7th
century. The rebellious regions were liberated and united into the Georgian Kingdom at the beginning of the 11th
century. Starting in the 12th century the rule of Georgia extended over the significant part of the Southern Caucasus,
including northeastern parts and almost entire northern coast of what is now Turkey. The Georgian Kingdom, which
was tolerant towards its Muslim and Jewish subjects (who had already been settled there for many centuries),
reached its zenith in the 12th to early 13th centuries. This period has been widely termed as Georgia's Golden Age.
The revival of the Georgian Kingdom was shortlived however, and the Kingdom was eventually subordinated by the
Mongols in 1236. Thereafter, different local rulers fought for their independence from the central Georgian rule, until
the total disintegration of the Kingdom in the 15th century. Neighbouring kingdoms exploited the situation and from
the 16th century, the Persian Empire and the Ottoman Empire subordinated the eastern and western regions of
Georgia, respectively. In 1783 Russia and the eastern Georgian kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti signed the Treaty of
Georgievsk, according to which Kartli-Kakheti received protection by Russia. This, however, did not prevent Tbilisi
from being sacked by the Persians in 1795. On December 22, 1800, Tsar Paul I of Russia, at the alleged request of
the Georgian king George XII, signed the Proclamation on the incorporation of Georgia (Kartli-Kakheti) within the
Russian Empire. On January 8, 1801 Tsar Paul I of Russia, signed a decree on the incorporation of Georgia (Kartli-
Kakheti) within the Russian Empire which was confirmed by Tsar Alexander I on September 12, 1801. The
Georgian envoy in Saint Petersburg reacted with a note of protest that was presented to the Russian vice-chancellor
Prince Kurakin. In May 1801, Russian General Carl Heinrich Knorring dethroned the Georgian heir to the throne
David Batonishvili and deployed a government headed by General Ivan Petrovich Lasarev. The Georgian nobility did
not accept the decree until April 1802 when General Knorring compassed the nobility in Tbilisi's Sioni Cathedral and
forced them to take an oath on the imperial crown of Russia. Those who disagreed were arrested temporarily. After
the Russian Revolution of 1917, Georgia declared independence on May 26, 1918 in the midst of the Russian Civil
War. The parliamentary election was won by the Georgian Social-Democratic Party, considered to be a party of
Mensheviks, and its leader, Noe Zhordania, became the prime minister. In 1918 a Georgian–Armenian war erupted
over parts of Georgian provinces populated mostly by Armenians which ended due to British intervention. In 1918–
19 Georgian general Giorgi Mazniashvili led a Georgian attack against White Army led by Moiseev and Denikin in
order to claim the Black Sea coastline from Tuapse to Sochi and Adler for independent Georgia. The country's
independence did not last long, however. In February 1921 Georgia was attacked by the Red Army. Georgian
troops lost the battle and the Social-Democrat government fled the country. On February 25, 1921 the Red Army
entered the capital Tbilisi and installed a puppet communist government led by Georgian Bolshevik Filipp
Makharadze, but the Soviet rule was firmly established only after the 1924 revolt was brutally suppressed. Georgia
was incorporated into the Transcaucasian SFSR uniting Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The TFSSR was
disaggregated into its component elements in 1936 and Georgia became the Georgian SSR. The Georgian Eduard
Shevardnadze, the USSR's Georgian minister for foreign affairs, was one of the main architects of the Perestroika
reforms of the late 1980s. During this period, Georgia developed a vigorous multiparty system which strongly
favoured independence. The country staged the first democratic, multiparty parliamentary elections in the Soviet
Union on October 28, 1990. From November 1990 to March 1991, one of the leaders of the National Liberation
movement, Dr Zviad Gamsakhurdia, was the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia (the
Georgian parliament). On April 9, 1991, shortly before the collapse of the USSR, Georgia declared independence.
On May 26, 1991, Zviad Gamsakhurdia was elected as a first President of independent Georgia. However,
Gamsakhurdia was soon deposed in a bloody coup d'état, from December 22, 1991 to January 6, 1992. The coup
was instigated by part of the National Guards and a paramilitary organization called "Mkhedrioni" which allegedly
was supported by Russian military units stationed in Tbilisi. The country became embroiled in a bitter civil war which
lasted almost until 1995. In 2003 Shevardnadze was deposed by the Rose Revolution, after Georgian opposition
and international monitors asserted that the November 2] parliamentary elections were marred by fraud.[22] The
revolution was led by Mikheil Saakashvili, Zurab Zhvania and Nino Burjanadze, former members and leaders of
Shavarnadze's ruling party. Mikheil Saakashvili was elected as President of Georgia in 2004. Restoring Georgia's
territorial integrity, reversing the effects of ethnic cleansing and returning refugees to their home places were the main
pre-election promises of Saakashvili's government.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Georgia
civilization stretches back for more than three thousand years of history with an exclusive literary and artistic heritage.
Culturally, historically, and politically Georgia is considered part of Europe; however, the official geographic
classification of the country varies according to different sources. Sometimes Georgia is considered a transcontinental
nation. The English name Georgia is a transliteration of the Hellenistic term (Greek: Γεωργία) derived from Georgios
(Greek: Γεώργιος), a Greek name meaning "farmer"; Georgia here is indicative of a farmland. Georgians used the
Greek and Aramaic alphabets before adopting the Georgian alphabet, reformed by King Pharnavaz I of Iberia,
which is not directly related to any other alphabet in the world. In 337, Christianity was declared the official state
religion in the ancient Georgian Kingdom of Iberia, making Georgia the second oldest country after Armenia (301) to
declare Christianity as her official state religion. The Bible was translated into Georgian in the 5th century. Two early
Georgian Kingdoms of late antiquity, known to ancient Greeks and Romans as Iberia in the east of the country and
Colchis in the west, were among the first nations in the region to adopt Christianity (in 337 AD, or in 319 AD as
recent research suggests.). Colchis is the location of the Golden Fleece sought by Jason and the Argonauts in the
Greek myth and may have derived from the local practice of using fleeces to sift gold dust from rivers. Known to its
natives as Egrisi or Lazica, Colchis often saw battles between the rival power of Persia and the Byzantine Empire,
both of which managed to conquer Western Georgia from time to time. As a result, those Kingdoms disintegrated
into various feudal regions in the early Middle Ages. This made it easy for Arabs to conquer Georgia in the 7th
century. The rebellious regions were liberated and united into the Georgian Kingdom at the beginning of the 11th
century. Starting in the 12th century the rule of Georgia extended over the significant part of the Southern Caucasus,
including northeastern parts and almost entire northern coast of what is now Turkey. The Georgian Kingdom, which
was tolerant towards its Muslim and Jewish subjects (who had already been settled there for many centuries),
reached its zenith in the 12th to early 13th centuries. This period has been widely termed as Georgia's Golden Age.
The revival of the Georgian Kingdom was shortlived however, and the Kingdom was eventually subordinated by the
Mongols in 1236. Thereafter, different local rulers fought for their independence from the central Georgian rule, until
the total disintegration of the Kingdom in the 15th century. Neighbouring kingdoms exploited the situation and from
the 16th century, the Persian Empire and the Ottoman Empire subordinated the eastern and western regions of
Georgia, respectively. In 1783 Russia and the eastern Georgian kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti signed the Treaty of
Georgievsk, according to which Kartli-Kakheti received protection by Russia. This, however, did not prevent Tbilisi
from being sacked by the Persians in 1795. On December 22, 1800, Tsar Paul I of Russia, at the alleged request of
the Georgian king George XII, signed the Proclamation on the incorporation of Georgia (Kartli-Kakheti) within the
Russian Empire. On January 8, 1801 Tsar Paul I of Russia, signed a decree on the incorporation of Georgia (Kartli-
Kakheti) within the Russian Empire which was confirmed by Tsar Alexander I on September 12, 1801. The
Georgian envoy in Saint Petersburg reacted with a note of protest that was presented to the Russian vice-chancellor
Prince Kurakin. In May 1801, Russian General Carl Heinrich Knorring dethroned the Georgian heir to the throne
David Batonishvili and deployed a government headed by General Ivan Petrovich Lasarev. The Georgian nobility did
not accept the decree until April 1802 when General Knorring compassed the nobility in Tbilisi's Sioni Cathedral and
forced them to take an oath on the imperial crown of Russia. Those who disagreed were arrested temporarily. After
the Russian Revolution of 1917, Georgia declared independence on May 26, 1918 in the midst of the Russian Civil
War. The parliamentary election was won by the Georgian Social-Democratic Party, considered to be a party of
Mensheviks, and its leader, Noe Zhordania, became the prime minister. In 1918 a Georgian–Armenian war erupted
over parts of Georgian provinces populated mostly by Armenians which ended due to British intervention. In 1918–
19 Georgian general Giorgi Mazniashvili led a Georgian attack against White Army led by Moiseev and Denikin in
order to claim the Black Sea coastline from Tuapse to Sochi and Adler for independent Georgia. The country's
independence did not last long, however. In February 1921 Georgia was attacked by the Red Army. Georgian
troops lost the battle and the Social-Democrat government fled the country. On February 25, 1921 the Red Army
entered the capital Tbilisi and installed a puppet communist government led by Georgian Bolshevik Filipp
Makharadze, but the Soviet rule was firmly established only after the 1924 revolt was brutally suppressed. Georgia
was incorporated into the Transcaucasian SFSR uniting Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The TFSSR was
disaggregated into its component elements in 1936 and Georgia became the Georgian SSR. The Georgian Eduard
Shevardnadze, the USSR's Georgian minister for foreign affairs, was one of the main architects of the Perestroika
reforms of the late 1980s. During this period, Georgia developed a vigorous multiparty system which strongly
favoured independence. The country staged the first democratic, multiparty parliamentary elections in the Soviet
Union on October 28, 1990. From November 1990 to March 1991, one of the leaders of the National Liberation
movement, Dr Zviad Gamsakhurdia, was the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia (the
Georgian parliament). On April 9, 1991, shortly before the collapse of the USSR, Georgia declared independence.
On May 26, 1991, Zviad Gamsakhurdia was elected as a first President of independent Georgia. However,
Gamsakhurdia was soon deposed in a bloody coup d'état, from December 22, 1991 to January 6, 1992. The coup
was instigated by part of the National Guards and a paramilitary organization called "Mkhedrioni" which allegedly
was supported by Russian military units stationed in Tbilisi. The country became embroiled in a bitter civil war which
lasted almost until 1995. In 2003 Shevardnadze was deposed by the Rose Revolution, after Georgian opposition
and international monitors asserted that the November 2] parliamentary elections were marred by fraud.[22] The
revolution was led by Mikheil Saakashvili, Zurab Zhvania and Nino Burjanadze, former members and leaders of
Shavarnadze's ruling party. Mikheil Saakashvili was elected as President of Georgia in 2004. Restoring Georgia's
territorial integrity, reversing the effects of ethnic cleansing and returning refugees to their home places were the main
pre-election promises of Saakashvili's government.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Georgia
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None reported.
