Dec 25, 2009
Inclusive Foundation Raided by Police
by Inge Snip
Georgia’s only LGBT organization was set upon by police for unknown reasons. Is this a harbinger of a new era of repression in Georgia? Analyst Inge Snip reports on this unexpected turn of events in the region’s ‘freest’ country.
Kiev | While it is known Georgia is not the most liberal country in the world when it comes to homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) – it has still remained somewhat possible – although secretly – to act upon your preferences. Georgia has always been an artistic society in which art is considered highly important, not trying to follow prejudices, but it is well-known that in artistic scenes, people are more eager to express their true selves. Therefore, I always thought in Georgia it was less discriminated upon than in many other post-soviet countries. How could I be so wrong? Did I naively forgot the role of the patriarch and religion? Perhaps, however, honestly, I am nevertheless shocked and repulsed with the latest police raid on LGBT defenders organization Inclusive Foundation and with the arrest of Paata Sabelashvili, their leader.
On December 15th, the police raided the organization, arrested Sabelashvili, stripped naked two woman in search for something, called them ‘sick,’ ‘perverts’ and ‘satanists’ and all without showing any search warrant; and unwilling to show one, one of the police officers said things such as:
“I will kill you!”
“I will tear you into pieces!”
“Sue me, I don’t give a damn”,
“I am myself the Law and the Judge!”
Not only is this a clear homophobic illegal action, but it is also a major violation of not just Georgia’s internal laws, but also international human rights law. The respect for minorities is embedded in all major human rights treaties, to which Georgia has signed and ought to respect. It’s also profoundly irrational for a country that trumpets its ‘Western’ credentials to be breaking down doors and persecuting the already marginalized LGBT community.
Herewith, I would like to bring your attention to the appeal the Inclusive Foundation has written to the President of Georgia, the Public Defender of Georgia, the Diplomatic Services accredited in Georgia and the representatives of International Organizations.
Instant Update: Rumor has that today, Saturday December 26th, Paata Sabelashvili has been released without further charges.
[...] New Year. Just days earlier, the office of the Inclusive Foundation, a Georgian LGBT organization, was raided and its head arrested. Following local and international outcry, Paata Sabelashvili has since been released. Posted by [...]
[...] New Year. Just days earlier, the office of the Inclusive Foundation, a Georgian LGBT organization, was raided and its head arrested. Following local and international outcry, Paata Sabelashvili has since been [...]