The below signatory organizations express our negative attitude once again in terms of the draft initiated in the Parliament qualifying public expression of hatred towards sacred objects, religious organizations, clergymen or worshippers by an individual, aimed at hurting religious sentiments as administrative offence and envisaging subsequent administrative liability. In addition, illegal interference in divine service or religious rights or defile of religious constructions or other sacred objects, any inscriptions thereon or/and their injury should also be qualified as administrative offence.   

We believe that Parliament should refrain from adopting the law since it falls short of Constitutional   and international human rights standards. Its adoption is not motivated for protection of minority rights and in view of the Georgian reality it may be essentially harmful to this vulnerable group, as well as will put at risk freedom of expression in general.