Radio talkshow addresses freedom of religion in Georgia
A radio talkshow on the problematic issue of freedom of religion kicked off a series of ODIHR sponsored human rights awareness raising programmes in Georgia.
Ms. Dodo Shonava, a well known-radio presenter, chaired the discussion panel of Ms. Nana Devdariani, Georgian Human Rights Defender, Mr. Giga Tsereteli, vice-speaker of the Georgian parliament, Mamuka Chabashvili, Legal Representative of Jehovah's Witnesses, and Malkhaz Sungulashvili, Bishop of the Baptist Union in Georgia. The panel also accepted calls from listeners, in what developed into a constructive examination of the issue, which has become a source of much concern in Georgia of late.
Mob attacks
Mob attacks on meetings and even homes of adherents to minority religions and beliefs have become increasingly common in Georgia in the past five years. Discussion of the issue in the media has often been marked by demagogy, with various public figures seeking to foment religious intolerance and discord.
Commenting on the benefits of the balanced discussion of the issue and listeners' reaction, Ms Shonava, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the Georgian State Radio Company, said that it was an important issue, which people needed to be informed about. "However, if you have a bigoted discussion, calling for a pogrom, of course this incites people to call in in support," she said.
Radio Talkshow
Each talkshow in the series is preceded by three five-to-seven minute programmes on the same topic, produced in a radio documentary format. The aim of these is to introduce the topic to an general audience in an engaging way through interviews and accounts of real life stories and real life situations. These programmes are jointly prepared by Shahida Yakub, BBC producer, and Natiya Arveladze, reporter from Georgian State Radio Station. The programmes reach a listenership of up to one million in all regions of the country, according to Ms Shonava.
The relevance of these productions is underlined by ODIHR Human Rights Officer Michael McNamara, "in Georgia, as in many other former Soviet Republics, lack of awareness of religious issues is one of the main obstacles to the existence of a tolerant society in which adherents of diverse religions and beliefs can freely manifest their beliefs. As a result of the suppression of religion during the Soviet era, there is a deep suspicion of the activities of new religious groups in particular. This programme is an attempt by the ODIHR and its partners to address this by raising awareness of this issue, which is central to the stability of the state."
In the week before the first talkshow, three programmes introduced international standards on freedom of religion and examined their application in Georgia. During the talkshow, a new draft law affecting religious communities in Georgia was extensively discussed. The contentious issue of proselytism was highlighted, as was the issue of religious education.
Growing frustration
Participants also expressed concern at the growth in frustration at social and economic conditions. This increasing dissatisfaction has formed a backdrop to the mob attacks against religious or other minorities.
This is the second series of such programmes in Georgia, supported by the ODIHR, the majority of which will focus on the rights of prisoners and detainees. The project aims to increase accountability and transparency in the system of administration of justice by increasing public awareness on international standards and the State's international commitments.