Georgian Association of Social Workers’ Protest Against Parliament’s Handling of Anti LGBT Violence

20.06.2013

Georgian Association of Social Workers’ Protest Against Parliament’s Handling of Anti LGBT Violence

Georgian Association of Social Workers joined the protest against parliament’s handling of anti LGBT violence in front of Radisson Blue Iveria Hotel in Tbilisi on June 20^th at 10:00 AM.  The protest was held while parliament’s human rights committee was holding a meeting inside.

A few days ago, the committee presented a draft statement about the events of May 17, when radical clerics and activists dispersed a peaceful gay rights rally. Following these events Georgian citizens appealed to the parliament’s human rights committee with a joint petition with the demand to investigate the acts of violence and abuse of rights of demonstrators.

Social workers joined the gathering to protest against the content of the statement and the fact that committee members have tried to cast doubt on the authenticity of the signatures of a petition that 12 000 people have signed, asking the speaker of parliament for a proper reaction to the violence on May 17.

According to social workers charter of rights and code of ethics, social workers have a professional responsibility to raise their voice and engage in civil action to stand up against human rights violations and social injustice.