Tbilisi. On April 24, 2017, the Public Defender of Georgia addressed the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the LEPL Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance with a recommendation concerning discrimination on the ground of religion. The applicants’ interests were represented at the Public Defender’s Office by the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) and the Tolerance and Diversity Institute (non-commercial legal entity).

''It is indicated in the recommendation that the visa-passport control bodies – the Patrol Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Customs Department of the Revenue Service create obstacles for Muslims during crossing the Sarpi customs checkpoint. In particular, Muslims are stopped and asked questions about their appearance, religion and lifestyle. At the same time, all the conditions are created for them to voluntarily give up their own religious literature. Accordingly, the Public Defender concluded that the applicants' freedom of religion was violated through restricting their freedom of movement and property rights'', is noted in the statement.

Source: www.ombudsman.ge