Georgian rights defenders criticize amnesty of convicts for domestic violence

An MP from the ruling "Georgian Dream" Party has offered to extend the mass amnesty that is being prepared in Georgia on those convicted for domestic violence. In their turn, human rights defenders believe that the amnesty for this category of convicts may create a dangerous precedent for the society and encourage the commission of such crimes.

A mass amnesty is being prepared in Georgia; however, the parliament, where the respective bill is being discussed, has not finally defined the list of articles, under which convicts will be released.

Dmitry Khundadze, an MP from the ruling "Georgian Dream-Democratic Movement" Party, has suggested to add the article "For domestic violence" into the draft law "On Amnesty", arguing that often an emotional background is behind such crimes.

However, human rights defenders have reacted negatively to Mr Khundadze's initiative, noting that domestic (family) violence is a grave crime.

Baya Pataraya, the chair of the NGO "Sapari", believes that if those convicted for domestic violence are included into the amnesty bill, some of them may take revenge on family members. "Does Khundadze think that after liberation of convicts these families will live peacefully and sweetly? His proposal shows that he has absolutely no idea about such a serious problem," she told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Ucha Nanuashvili, a former ombudsperson, believes that the amnesty of the inmates serving their terms for domestic violence may be perceived by the society as an encouragement for commission of such crimes.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 5, 2021 at 02:50 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.