We, the Georgian NGOs, are starting a new phase of the fight against “Russian law.” On October 17, we will appeal “Russian law” and its dire consequences to the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of 16 media organizations, 120 civil society organizations, and four natural persons.

Russian law not only aims to restrict civil society and the media but also serves to divide all citizens from each other and suppress critical voices. The applicant organizations work on such public problems as environmental protection, assistance for persons with disabilities, protection against violence against women and children, judicial reform, the fight against corruption, investigative journalism, etc.

We, applicant organizations, will argue on violations protected by the European Convention on Human Rights – the right to freedom of assembly and association  (Article 11), freedom of expression (Article 10), the right to respect for private and family life (Article 8), discrimination (Article 14), the right to an effective remedy (Article 13) and the scope of limitation on use of restrictions on rights (Article 18).

Fighting independent organizations with Russian methods not only violates fundamental human rights but also undermines the unwavering choice of the Georgian people regarding integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures. Unfortunately, the constitutional obligation, which obliges the state bodies to protect all these civilizational choices, is violated by the governmental bodies while the Constitutional Court refuses to fulfill its duty.

Despite the failure of the Constitutional Court to fulfill its obligations, our fight against Russian law continues, and it will inevitably end with the unconditional victory of the Georgian people.

No to the “Russian law”!

Yes - to the European Union!