NGOs remain the watchdogs of the political processes

The civil society members held the meeting to evaluate the “Rose Revolution” held in Georgian by the end of November. On the meeting held on November 28, 2003 the CSO representatives pointed the sector should remain the watchdogs of the government.

The topic of the meeting was the evaluation of the revolution and the future perspectives of the NGOs. The civil activists also discussed the position of the third sector towards the events and the possibility of staff changing.

Civil activists said the idea of the velvet revolution was positive, but the developments following the revolution make them say, they are concerned.

“Revolution is not finished in two days, the events are continuing. Currently, the government is in the formation and I hope the process is the temporary, otherwise all the events taking place currently does not reflect the needs and demands stated during the protest meetings in front of the Parliament”-Leval Berdzenishvili, director of the Public Library told Advocacy.Ge with regard to the appointment of the relatives on the strategic offices from the side of the winners of the “rose revolution”. 

Civil society representatives also discussed the issue of the possibility of the shift of some civil experts to the public sector. Civil activists said this process might be natural and the changes in the sector might appear. “This is a case when each of the members should make their own choices, but this will not change into a tragedy, because they [moving to the governmental offices] of us can still serve the people”-was the main idea of the sector. 

Civil activists say that they should remain watchdogs of the government to prevent and confront any mistake of the authorities. They say after the euphoria which was dominating the society following Shevardnadze’s resignation, people want to see the real potential of the new government.  

“We must be sure that this government is worth enough for the people spent days and nights staying in front of the Parliament, that is where we can serve our citizens and protect their rights”-Paata Zakaraishvili, former the public servant and currently the expert of civil society said at the meeting. 

“New government should present a plan of action – what will be done in next couple of months. Everybody knows that it is impossible to set everything straight very soon, but this should be clearly said by the authorities,” Ghia Nodia of the Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy told Advocacy.Ge

The civil activists also expressed their concern with the latest developments in Tbilisi State University and the presented several possible ways to change the situation.