The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association and the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) will study the lawfulness and expediency of the police raids carried out in several clubs in Tbilisi on May 12 and later the use of police measures against participants of a peaceful rally.
So far, notwithstanding the explanations provided by the Interior Ministry, the society has doubts about the lawfulness and proportionality of the police operation, the force used by the police against participants of the spontaneous protest in the vicinity of the club BASSIANI and the lawfulness of the detention of a dozen of persons under the administrative law.
The events of the night of May 12, including the scale of police raids, mass arrests and facts of applying force by police, require relevant documenting and evaluation. To this end, GYLA and the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) will study in detail the events of the night of May 12 and their development, including:
- The searches and the use of Special Forces in the clubs - It is important to assess the legal basis and expediency of the use of Special Forces, as well as the lawfulness of the searches;
- Enjoyment of the right to peaceful assembly – The police forces deployed near the club "BASSIANI" did not allow the spontaneous rally participants to proceed with their protest. This was the place where a large number of people were detained. It is necessary to evaluate the lawfulness of the police actions and the legitimacy of using police force against participants of the peaceful assembly on the above mentioned place and in front of the Parliament building.
- Detention of dozens of persons under the administrative law – several dozens of persons were detained by law enforcers under the administrative law in front of the clubs and the parliament building. In certain cases, the video footage disseminated through the media indicated alleged unlawful arrests. Also, it is essential to establish the strategy and tactics of police actions in managing the protest rally, as well as the legitimacy of detention of individuals;
- Carrying out professional activities by media - within several days from the events of May 12, several sources reported that representatives of certain media outlets encountered problems when covering the events and were not able to carry out their professional activities. In this regard, it is important to evaluate if any interference within journalistic activities took place.
The studied issues will be combined in a joint report, which will be public and be sent to all interested parties. The authors of the report will share findings of the study, including with the Chief Prosecutor's Office of Georgia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs for further response.
We call on protesters, detainees and media representatives to provide us with any information about the actions of law enforcement officers during the events of May 12th and share any photo-video material that will assist the authors to prepare a comprehensive assessment of the events.
