During OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting “Tolerance and Non-Discrimination and Gender Equality” held in Vienna at June 24-25, expert of Association Olesia Tsybulko took active participation in side-event “Challenges of Anti-Discrimination Policy Amidst the Adoption of Russian-Style Law in Georgia” held by Georgian Democracy Initiative and United Nations Association Georgia with the civic platform “No to Phobia.”
Side-event organizers reported that recently, the current Government of Georgia adopted a Russian-style law requiring all civil society organizations receiving foreign funding to register as organizations pursuing the interests of a foreign power. Despite critical statements and numerous calls from both Georgian people and Western countries, the ruling party ignored the position and interests of the Georgian people and passed the law; the adoption of such laws in authoritarian regimes like Russia serves as a concerning precedent, and Georgian civil society have similar expectations, organizers added.
Olesia Tsybulko informed side-event participants about webinar “Russian occupation of the territories of Georgia and Ukraine: old problems and new challenges” held on June 13, where experts of Association, Professor Borys Babin, Dr. Andrii Chvaliuk and Dr. Anna Prikhodko took an active participation. ARC’s expert stressed at Vienna meeting on duty to research the similar and specific issues of Russia’s violation the international order, security, human rights and state sovereignty at occupied territories of Georgia and Ukraine, including Crimea. During discussion Olesia Tsybulko pointed on example of “human shield” tactic used by Russian invaders in Sevastopol’s Uchkuevka at May, 23.
