May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, celebration of which is related to the removal of homosexuality from the list of diseases by the World Health Organization on May 17, 1990. The international day aimed at expressing solidarity and condemning violence, unfortunately, most often becomes grounds for commission of violent acts and hate crimes against the LGBT persons and their supporters.

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Non-discrimination, protection from violence, freedom of expression, rights to assembly and manifestations are the basic values for the countries’ democratic development.

The events developed in Georgia showed us that no effective measures have been taken for raising public awareness or establishing the culture of tolerance in the country. A timely, efficient and accountable investigation of hate crimes is still a problem. Three years have passed, however, nobody has been held responsible for the criminal acts committed on 17 May, 2013.

Despite the fact that various groups have planned a number of events in the central areas of the capital, it is a pity that the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia cannot be celebrated in the open air. According to an independent group of LGBT activists[1], due to lack of safeguards to be protected from possible threats of violence, they refrain from a public appearance. It is worrying that homophobic attitudes in the society threaten realization of a constitutional right.

Given all the above, I call on the public agencies to do their best to prevent hate-motivated violence and manifestation of homophobic actions, as well as to promote unconditional implementation of constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms of LGBT persons.

Public Defender’s authorized representatives will be observing developments in the country all day long on May 17, 2016. In addition, in case of necessity, citizens may call our hotline: ​​14-81.