Civil society representatives urge the President of Georgia to grant Georgian citizenship to Mustafa Emre Çabuk

It is almost six months that Georgian society has been witness of injustices against teacher and manager of private Demirel College, Mustafa Emre Çabuk and tragedy of his family.   

Georgian law enforcers detained Mr. Çabuk on May 24, 2017 based on request of Turkish side and imposed him with pre-extradition detention. Due to threats made against the family members, the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia included them in a special protection programme. Today, Tbilisi Court of Appeals rejected the appeal to grant Mustafa Emre Çabuk and his family members the status of refugees that also determines the issue of Çabuk’s extradition. In case of extradition, the risk is high that Çabuk will be subjected to inhuman treatment and possible torture. 

Unfortunately, the actions against Çabuk represent an indirect message for other teachers of Demirel College and their family members and they do not feel safe on the Georgian territory.

Demirel College and Black Sea University are part of the Chaglar network of educational institutions that has been operating in Georgia for 24 years, offering youth (up to 30,000 pupils and students graduated from these institutions so far and many of them have brought success to Georgia at many international olympiads) high-quality education provided by professional and highly qualified teachers. Some of them have become Georgian citizens for an exceptional contribution to Georgia. 

Considering the abovementioned, we urge the President of Georgia to grant Georgian citizenship by way of exception, to Mustafa Emre Çabuk and his family members, as well to the teachers of Demirel College and Black Sea University who truly have made exceptional contribution to Georgia and who wish to become the citizens of our country. We believe that as a result of such a step their rights will be better safeguarded and protected within the territory of Georgia.

1. Transparency International Georgia

2. Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association

3. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy

4. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Centre

5. Union Sapari

6. Georgian Democracy Initiative

7. Media Development Foundation

8. Economic Policy Research Centre

9. Green Alternative

10. Open Society Georgia Foundation

11. Georgian Farmers’ Association

12. Atlantic Council of Georgia

13. Centre for Investigative Journalism and Advocacy

14. Society and Banks

15. 42nd Article of the Constitution

16. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information

17. Regional Centre for Strategic Studies

18. Civil Development Agency

19. Human Rights Centre

20. Kakheti Regional Development Foundation

21. Georgia’s Reforms Associates

22. Tolerance and Diversity Institute