Statement of Non-Governmental Organizations

Recently representatives of various political parties made statements by means of media (Channel 25, Kronika newspaper, etc.), demonstrating xenophobic, religious and ethnic intolerance. We assume that these statements were probably meant to turn playing with ethnic and religious sentiments into a key instrument for gaining votes.

All politicians should realize that it is impossible to succeed in Georgia by playing with xenophobic, religious sentiments. No one should be allowed to stir up opposition on ethnic or religious grounds in Georgia and to jeopardize Georgia’s statehood.

We apply to the ruling as well as the oppositional parties in Georgia and political or public leaders, to let them know that no purpose, including one’s strive to remain in power or come to power, can justify manipulation with noted issues for the purpose of gaining votes in the elections. Ethnic or political affiliation of an opponent may not serve as an argument for reinforcing one’s position in political debates.

We, representatives of civil society, publicly respond to any action or statement of a political force, a political leader or a public figure, attempting to practice similar standards and rules of political fight in the process of election campaigning.

1. Tamar Chugoshvili – Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association

2. Members of the Coalition for Free Choice:

• Irakli Melashvili – expert on elections

• Zviad Koridze – media expert

• Kote Kandelaki – International Center for Civic Culture

• Ucha Nanuashvili – Human Rights Center

• Ia Mamaladze – Georgian Media Monitoring Center

• Gogi Khutsishvili – International Research Center on Conflicts and Negotiation

• Davit Narimania – Caucasian Institute for Economic and Social Research

• Magda Popiashvili – Georgian Media Club

• Davit Losaberidze – Local Democracy Network Center

• Murman Pataraia - Civic Education Resource Center

3. Arnold Stepanian - „Multinational Georgia“;

4. Eka Gigauri – Transparency International – Georgia

5. Nino Lomjaria – International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy

6. Mamika Kuparadze – Studio Re

7. Ia Antadze – Civil Development Institute