Today on the meeting of the Government, Prime Minister – Irakli Garibashvili made insulting statement concerning the activity of the organizations engaged in the campaign “This Affects You”.

According to the Prime Minister, the version presented by the organizations and the representatives of National Movement is disastrous and imposes threat to effective operation of legal system and security of the country…. “When we are strengthening image of our country and demonstrating progress in all aspects, these people spending thousands of GELs in advertisements, undermine image of the country. Targeted campaign about illegal listening is directed against the state, there is strong political will and this vicious practice does not exist anymore.

The organizations participating in the campaign state that the statement of the president is not true, in particular:

1. we want to highlight that just one legislative package on eavesdropping and spying is being reviewed by the Parliament. The authors of the package are first deputy chairperson of Legal Committee and member of the Coalition Georgian Dream – Mr. Shalva Shavgulidze and chief specialist of the same committee Ms. Lika Sajaia, chief editor of the newspaper Rezonansi – Mr. Lasha Tughushi and journalist – Zviad Koridze.  The draft law was registered in the Parliament in July of last year and during this period all stake holders had opportunity to express their opinions. Consequently, the statement of the Prime Minister that the draft law was presented jointly by participating organizations and National Movement is not true;

2. Nongovernmental sector discussed the problem of listening with previous government as well, which is proved by the statements of operators made on this issue. Unfortunately, system changes with this regard did not take place in conditions of new government.  

3. Renewal of the campaign “This Affects You” became necessary since despite of constructive negotiations law enforcement authorities still do not want to adopt legislation preventing eavesdropping and spying. It is important that no public servant was punished for eavesdropping and spying, therefore the statement of Prime Minister that there is strong will for elimination of this vicious practice is not justified;  

4. it is not clear about which group, established one year ago and initiating which draft law is speaking the Prime Minister, we are informed only about the group established in 2014; 

5. We still support the draft law submitted one year ago to the Parliament, which shares expertise of leading European experts.  It is to be mentioned that last year the parliament transformed “disastrous” project into initiative and one month ago three committees endorsed it;      

6. We think that the statement of the Prime Minister aims at discrediting of nongovernmental sector;    7. Assessments of the Prime minister are alarming, while the only goal of the new draft law is protection of European standards for private life.