Nongovernmental organization “Article 42 of the Constitution” and “Women’s initiative support group” respond to statement made the leader of “Christian -Democrats” party – Giorgi Targamadze at the Parliament.
Organizations assume that Targamadze’s initiative on constitutional changes, which by his own claim serves to “protection of society’s moral interests”, is discriminative.
Breach of equality without grounded reason is violation of fundamental human rights, which negatively affects all aspects of human life.
Prohibition of discrimination is established by article 14 of European Convention, which strictly indicates, that no one shall be discriminated on any grounds. Besides, additional protocol #12 of European Convention of Human Rights interprets frames of discrimination prohibition and stresses the principle that enjoyment of any right should be equally protected.
Purpose of nondiscrimination is to provide every individual with equal and fair availability to means existing in society. On May 22 the leader of “Christian-Democrats” presented proposals of constitutional changes at the Parliament, consisting of five paragraphs. Targamadze claimed the reason of such changes statement of Patriarchate and action planned on May 17 for celebrating international day of homophobia and transphobia and called it a “gay parade”.
Every individual is free by birth and equal before law.
Proposed constitutional changes oppose right this principle of equality. This initiative may disturb peaceful coexistence and became reason of people’s marginalization.
Besides, changes presented by “Christian-Democratic Movement” oppose such fundamental rights, as right to assembly and manifestation, right to expression and right to collect and spread information. Limitation of fundamental human rights on the basis of their cultural, traditional or religious values or “dominant culture” rules is also inadmissible. The project of changes establishes the term “public morals”, which is relative category and the country’s constitution should not mention such definition.
Georgia is a multilingual country, where people of different religious views, ethnic origin or different traditions have lived during centuries. All of them enjoy equal rights before the law and changes mentioned above may foster rivalry among them.
Proposed changes, which stresses out priority of Christian religion and its followers, absolutely violates not only the principle of equality but hinders peaceful coexistence.
Giving priority to one particular group on any ground and discrimination of others is inadmissible in any democratic country.
23/05/2012
