We would like to react to the reports according to which, in the early morning a Member of Parliament Nugzar Tsiklauri was accosted by strangers which resulted in a physical assault. According to MP Tsiklauri, they attempted to kidnap him.  

Non-governmental organizations express grave concern in this matter -- as we consider violence against anyone to be unacceptable, especially any form of violence against an elected official.

We would like to highlight that the government has an obligation to ensure the personal protection for all members of Parliament.  

The Parliament of Georgia is a fundamental element in the democratic system and plays a key role in supervising the activities of the executive branch.  It is clear that such a function is vital for a democracy and cannot be performed effectively if the members of parliament are not protected from intimidation and physical assault -- which may have the appearance of political revenge.

We call on the government to investigate the case of the attack on MP Nugzar Tsiklauri without delay, effectively and with the maximum degree of impartiality. Only such an investigation can scatter all doubts about the motives and intentions regarding this case.

The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association
Transparency International Georgia
Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI)
International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED)
Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC)
Tolerance and Diversity Institute (TDI)