**UN Committee Steps in to Protect Georgian Human Rights Group**
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has taken a crucial step to protect a Georgian human rights group, Sapari. The committee called on the Georgian authorities to suspend a court order demanding confidential data about an underage beneficiary from Sapari.
This is not just a victory for Sapari but also sets a legal precedent for other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Georgia. The UN Committee’s swift reaction shows that it will not overlook the persecution of civil society, and this international legal mechanism can help stop the repression against Georgian NGOs.
The controversy started when Georgia’s Anti-Corruption Bureau requested extensive data from local organizations and their beneficiaries. Eight groups, including Sapari, were targeted with such inspection requests after the Tbilisi City Court approved the Bureau’s requests. The court orders cited provisions from three Georgian laws to justify the Bureau’s authority.
However, the targeted organizations have publicly refused to hand over sensitive data about their beneficiaries. They said they would not betray the trust of citizens under their protection, even if it means persecution and imprisonment.
Amnesty International has also spoken out against the legal actions against CSOs, saying they are an example of the Georgian authorities’ “escalating repression of the rights to freedom of expression and association.”
**What does this mean for Georgia?**
The UN Committee’s decision is a significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s requests. It shows that international organizations will hold Georgia accountable for its actions and protect the rights of NGOs.
The Georgian authorities must now take steps to comply with the UN Committee’s request and refrain from requesting, disclosing, or handing over personal information about beneficiaries. This is a crucial step towards protecting the freedom of association and expression in Georgia.
**What’s next?**
The situation remains tense, and it is unclear what will happen next. However, one thing is certain – the international community is watching closely, and Georgia must take its obligations seriously.
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