Arhil Kaiakatsishvili, the Head of the Georgian NGO Young Barristers, talks about country’s civil sector meeting with the President of Georgia on October 29, 2015. He said, that the discussion mainly focused on the issues of restoration of justice, a legal dispute concerning TV Channel Rustavi 2, freedom of speech and systemic crimes. As he had stated during the meeting, President’s opinion and position may have positive impact and may contribute in the process of restoring justice. We believe, that in the process of forming democratic society, public officials have certain roles and responsibilities. This is exactly political, legal and social context, from where we should review ongoing important processes in the country. With this regard, Archil Kikatsishvili mentioned about the Statement made by the President through which he was calling on the judge considering TV Channel Rustavi 2 case not to make rigid and precipitant decision over the case. Mr. Kaikatsishvili believes, that such a statement has fueled the situation even more and accordingly failed to reach President’s goal of easing hostile environment. In addition to this, Presidential statement is an intervention in the work of the independent judiciary, which is inadmissible and the statement itself – a big mistake. Archil Kaikatsishvili urges, that today, media is independent in Georgia, freedom of speech and free expression doesn’t face any danger and Rustavi 2 case a private legal dispute real content of which remains unknown for the public society. Mr. Kaikatsishvili also notes, that the President of the country should not avoid precise evaluations, when property dispute is represented as a violation of the free speech. When there is a fact of property confiscation occurring during the governance of the former government and currently the case is under court consideration, the case should be discussed by the free and independent judiciary. Attempts for destabilization of the county is inadmissible and contradicts the best interests of Georgian public society. We face the reality, when a person who is now high political official of the Ukraine acts like an owner of the TV Channel Rustavi 2. We have to be fair and   not biased. Double standards should be regarded as inadmissible for good.                                                 

Young Barristers believes, that systemic crimes were continuously committed in the country during the period of the United National Movement’s governance  and the President should express his distinctive opinion over the issue. Archil Kaiaktsishvili asked to the President if he shared the opinion that video recordings, reflecting torture and inhuman treatment of the prisoners being disclosed to the public society, was promoting “Georgian Fascizm”  and if the society was intitled to have access to such recordings, without an restriction.                                     

Young Barristers evaluates the meeting with the President of the country, as critical and useful. The President himself expressed his desire to meet again and emphesized an importance of the civil sector’s role in the process of country’s development.