Parliament Postpones Hearings on Human Rights Report

The Parliament has postponed hearings of the Georgian Ombudsman?s human rights report after the request of MP Elene Tevdoradze, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights.

Public Defender Sozar Subari has voiced strong criticism towards the law enforcement agencies in his human rights report, which covers second half of 2005 and beginning of 2006. The report includes assessments of several high-profile incidents, including Sandro Girgvliani?s murder case, Tbilisi prison riot and cases of excessive use of force during the police operations.

?I want to be sure that Sozar Subari?s report, which apparently will take one day, is not overshadowed by other issues [discussed in the Parliament]. Therefore, I demand to put it on the agenda of an extraordinary session [which apparently be convened in next two weeks]… I rule out that this issue may be postponed for the autumn session,? Tevdoradze told Civil Georgia on June 22.

She said that currently there are about 124 draft laws on the Parliament?s agenda, which could overshadow the Ombudsman?s report.

?The Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights has hailed the Public Defender?s report; but I do not know, what will be the Parliament?s reaction,? MP Tevdoradze added.

Some influential parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party have slammed Public Defender Sozar Subari for, as they put it, ?voicing groundless? accusations towards the law enforcement agencies; while the opposition law makers welcomed Subari?s stance.

Opposition MPs alleged that the parliamentary majority has not yet elaborated its position on critical report by the Public Defender, which has become a reason of hearings? postponement.

?This report should naturally pushed the issue of responsibility of some top-level officials, but it seems that even President Saakashvili has not yet decided how to act in this situation,? MP Koka Guntsadze of the New Rights opposition party told Civil Georgia.

The opposition lawmakers are boycotting the parliamentary session since March 31 and they will not attend the hearings of the Public Defender?s report.

MP Guntsadze said that even with the opposition?s absence ?this report will trigger much noise during the hearings.?