Civil society organizations condemn a decision of the Parliament to consider ethnic minorities as diaspora
Tbilisi. On March 15, society came to know through means of media that there was established a Scientific Advisory Council for National Minorities on the grounds of the Diaspora and Caucasus Issues Committee at the Parliament of Georgia.
“We, the signatory organizations, generally welcome the idea of establishing an advisory mechanism for national minorities at the Parliament, however, it is categorically unacceptable for us to set up an advisory council for minorities on the grounds of the Diaspora and Caucasus Issues Committee, which strengthens an impression of connecting ethnic minorities with other countries and essentially damages, as well as pulls back the process of building an inclusive, equal and democratic society.
CSOs call on the Parliament of Georgia to:
Cancel its decision regarding establishment of the Advisory Council on Minority Issues on the grounds of the Diaspora and Caucasus Issues Committee in a timely manner;
Plan the issue of a mandate, competencies and composition of the Advisory Council within the framework of the democratic consultations process, in which there will be involved representatives of communities of ethnic minorities, organizations, as well as other experts and human rights actors;
Take into account international standards and requirements, set by the Council of Europe Advisory Committee, as well as best practices of other countries while setting up the Advisory Council”.
Source: gyla.ge
