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Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Georgia Today

Throughout the former Soviet Union, local religious establishments have strongly disapproved of preaching by representatives of religions considered 'nontraditional'. Religious leaders have prevailed upon politicians to limit the activities of such groups while enhancing the privileged role of the leading local faith. The Georgian Orthodox Church has also warned about the harmful impact of non traditional religions and sought a special status, but parliament has not passed a law on religion. Nor is Georgian Orthodoxy or its special status specifically protected in the constitution. On the other hand, Georgia is the only country in Eurasia where officially-condoned, organised mob violence against adherents of nontraditional faiths has developed into an ongoing problem. Jehovah's Witnesses have been the primary, though not the exclusive, target of this campaign. The country's political leadership is aware of the issue and of the concern expressed in foreign capitals as well as by Georgian and international human rights organisations. President Eduard Shevardnadze has openly condemned the attacks and pledged to uphold the rule of law, safeguard the rights of all believers and prosecute those who persecute them. Nevertheless, the Georgian authorities have been unable or unwilling to take effective steps to deter individuals and groups from assaulting Jehovah's Witnesses. Violence against them has continued since 1999, with no serious action taken against the perpetrators. Convinced that the Georgian authorities are not prepared to implement their international commitments and protect members of religious minorities, Jehovah's Witnesses have filed two applications with the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The first application, in June 2001, states that official inertia has permitted a reign of terror against the community. In August 2001 the Jehovah's Witnesses filed a second application to the court, challenging the February 2001 ruling of Georgia's Supreme Court which deregistered the community. The court has put the case on a fast track, but has not yet issued its ruling. Against this background of intensifying attacks on Jehovah's Witnesses and intimidation of other minority religions in 1999-2001, the Georgian Orthodox Church has consistently urged the government to guarantee its privileged status. In