GYLA condemns application of the language of hatred by MP Azeri Suleimanov and calls on him to refrain from similar conduct

GYLA is concerned with Azer Sulaimanov’s , Member of the Parliament – statements addressed to MP jondi Bagaturia, considers it as expression of the language of hatred and calls on him to abstain from similar conduct in future.  In the Parliament Jondi Bagatruia reported, that having recognized genocide of  Cherkez people, the Parliament has no arguments to resist from recognizing Armenians’ genocide in Ottoman Empire.  Member of the Parliament Azer Suleimanov had interrupted Jondi Bagaturia with the following words: “Our Armenian colleague Mr. Jondi Bagaturyan stays on his Armenian position. ”

MP Azer Sulaimanov’s statement is verbal attack on Armenian Ethnic group, with explicit, hostile attitude to the mentioned ethnic community.  The statement implies that wearing of Armenian family name is humiliating to an individual.

GYLA wants to remind MP Azer Suleimanov, that according to Article 4, paragraph a) of the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, ratified by the Parliament of Georgia in 1999, dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or hatred is prohibited.  State parties, including Georgia, condemn all propaganda which is based on these ideas.

Paragraph c) of the same Article of the Convention prohibits public authorities or public institutions to promote or incite racial discrimination.

We regret that some members of the Parliament, acting as public representatives, are carrying out activities inconsistent with the Convention and revive ethnic hatred.   GYLA appeals each member of the Parliament to refrain from similar statements.