GHN reports that on January 29
the Georgian government has published a press release responding to annual
Freedom House report on Freedom in the World that said Georgia "was one of
the few bright spots in Eurasia in 2013."
According
to the report Georgia ranked three out of seven in both political rights and
civil liberties, its status defined as "partly free." Georgia's
political rights improved from four to three in 2012 due to a peaceful
transition of power after Georgian Dream won parliamentary elections that year.
Freedom House said Georgia was continuing to move up the ranks "thanks to
an open and less polarized campaign environment and a free and fair
presidential election in October" this year.
"This report offers further evidence that Georgia is raising its
democratic governance to European standards," said government spokesperson
Tamar Chugoshvili. ‘We will continue on that reform path in our quest for EU
membership."
Georgia is set to sign a key aid and trade deal with the EU this year. Freedom
House condemned "Russia's use of bullying tactics -especially punitive
trade restrictions - to discourage smaller states in the region from going
through with Association Agreements with the European Union."
Freedom House concluded that
"most signs suggest a strengthening of democratic institutions by the
Georgian Dream government over the past year."
The
civil society organisation remains however concerned that investigations into
corruption and abuse of power of former Georgian officials might represent
"selective justice".
"We
have worked hard over the last 14 months to reform the judiciary and ensure the
structures are in place to meet the highest international standards of
transparency, fairness and due process," said Ms. Chugoshvili.
"Investigating former officials is obviously sensitive, but we must be
very clear that no one is above the law in Georgia. Allowing former privilege
or current position to provide impunity is effectively selective justice,"
she added.
Freedom House is an
independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around
the world.
