Georgian rights defenders demand police's reaction to attacks of LGBT opponents

For several months already, opponents of LGBT people have been attacking the office of the human rights organization "Tbilisi Pride" in Tbilisi, while law enforcers have still failed to present the results of the investigation, human rights defenders have stated.

The "Tbilisi Pride" claims that its office has been "attacked by religious and extreme right-wing groups since May." The attacks began after the cancellation of the state of emergency introduced due to coronavirus. "The 'Tbilisi Pride' employees are victims of the following crimes: violation of equality, violence, obstruction of public activities and persecutions," says the statement of the "Tbilisi Pride", as reported by the "News-Georgia".

The LGBT flag was stolen from the balcony of the "Tbilisi Pride" office; rallies were held under the office windows, the participants of which held posters with homophobic statements; and the audience thereof shouted insults at LGBT activists. During one of these actions, office windows and an LGBT flag were poured with black paint. On July 2, protesters threatened to "pour gasoline" and "burn down all" the employees of the organization, the "Tbilisi Pride" has reported.

Human rights defenders believe that actions of LGBT opponents are manifestations of homophobia and transphobia. They said they had contacted the police on several occasions, but the investigation has so far failed to yield any results.

The "Caucasian Knot" has also reported that on August 4, four transgender women were attacked in Tbilisi.