Gela Nikolaishvili

The United Nations celebrated 1998 with a yearlong observance of the 50^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The principles provided for in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were designed to curb violations of human rights. For 50 years, this historical document has stood up to the test of time. Today, a country’s place and authority in the international community is determined by how it complies with the principles of the Universal declaration of Human Rights.

The brochure commissioned by the UNDP views the actual theoretical and practical issues of human rights protection. Among theoretical issues the following items are worth to be mentioned: "Post-totalitarian regimes and human rights", "Government and Totalitarian Mentality", "Human rights violation basis in Georgia", "Georgia and the International standards for human rights".

The brochure discusses the differences existing in approach towards the human rights problems, between the societies having democratic and communist oriented mentality. It is mentioned, that in spite of visual existence of sufficient legal environment for human rights protection, practically it is very difficult to defend own rights, since the actually existing free press, is either unable to create the public opinion, or the governmental authorities do not attach great importance to this opinion. It highlights the utilization of methods peculiar to the communist administration. In particular, the method of creation of "Enemy Image" and technology of having influence over citizens through this method is meant. These methods are the most effective in the communist trended mentality societies. The third part covers the following basis related to the violation of human rights in Georgia: practically idle legislative base and inquisitive juridical system, old-fashioned legal institutions, defending of existing regime instead of defending citizens, weak civil institutions and low level of education of population about the human rights, high level of corruption and very poor level of living conditions of the majority of population. The part referring to the "Human rights protection standards" reviews the conformation of the Georgian Constitution and other parts of Legislation with the international standards on human rights protection.

That part of brochure which considers the practical issues concerning protection of human rights, the following parts are worth mentioning: "Abolition of capital punishment", "Legal reform", "State mechanisms for human rights protection", "Society and the legal institutions", "Subject of political prisoners", "Georgia national structure and migration problem", "Reflection of legal actions in the Georgian legislation", "Women’s rights", "Terms for obtaining of citizenship of Georgia". While review the state mechanisms referring to human rights protection, the functioning of Parliamentary commission on human rights protection and ethnical minorities issues, activity of deputy secretary of national security council and Georgia ombudsman institutions are discussed.

While consideration of issue of relations between legal institutions and the society, some statistic data is given regarding the quantity of prisoners placed in jails and punitive institutions, and the general situation inside the potential system as well. Discussion regarding the political prisoners’ support, reflects some conditions according to which one can speak about custody with the political motives, and who is considered to be a political prisoner. The brochure lists those articles of Georgian Constitution and laws that ensure the guaranteed human rights protection at the legislative level, based on international facts. While discussing women’s rights protection, some Georgian traditions of women’s rights are being considered. There is some statistic data given regarding women activity in different fields as well.