As a background of the report it is stated that the May municipal elections, while assessed favorably by international observers, were accompanied by reports of harassment and intimidation of some opposition candidates. The latest amendments to the Georgian Constitution significantly reduce the presidential powers and increase the powers of the Prime Minister and the government, according to the report.

Referring to the aftermath of armed conflict, report states that there was no significant progress in investigating violations of international human rights and humanitarian law during the war in August 2008 and in its immediate aftermath. It recalls the Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner’s report issued in September which reported “serious shortcomings” by all sides in the process of clarifying the fate of people missing since the war.

Regarding IDPs, report refers to the renovation of some of the poorest accommodation and transferring the ownership to displaced people as some positive steps undertaken by government. However, there are problems of inadequate housing, namely insufficient access to water, sanitation and other essential services in some of the refurbished collective centers and newly built settlements, obstacles in accessing employment, health care and social security, according to the report.

“Around 500 displaced people in Tbilisi faced forced evictions in June, July and August. The evictions breached international standards, and in several instances the authorities failed to provide people with any alternative shelter or compensation,” – states the report.

Regarding the police and security forces report recalls the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture report according to which concerns remain regarding ill-treatment on arrest and in police stations.

Referring to the investigations on the incidents occurred during the demonstrations against the President in 2009, report states: “The government failed to effectively investigate and bring to justice police officers who had, according to reports, recklessly fired impact projectiles at demonstrators on 6 May 2009, injuring several people.”

Regarding new stop-and-search power of the police, report recalls the concern of human rights organizations that the law fails to specify either the exact circumstances in which the police could use these powers, or the length of the times a person could be held under them.

The positive steps are noted in the sphere of protection of women from violence, namely the opening of first state-funded shelters for victims of domestic violence and the Law on Gender Equality adopted in 2010 which addresses employment, education, health, social services and family relations.

To see the full report, please visit:
http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/georgia/report-2011