NGOs Offer Gov't ‘Out of Crisis Plan’

Human rights organizations have released a joint statement regarding the recent developments in the country, saying mass protests, in solidarity with two teenagers killed in the capital on December 1, 2018, “is a clear indication of a crisis situation in the country.“

The NGOs claim political office holders directly responsible for implementation of reforms in the field of criminal law and justice have “failed to fulfill this function, which is clearly connected with the lack of the authorities’ political will and the problem of ignoring public opinion.”

“The majority of reforms declared by the government in the system of law-enforcement and the judiciary has proven to be pro-forma and these reforms have done nothing to eliminate the public’s sense of deep injustice and vulnerability. Recent high-profile cases have clearly shown the problem of excessive use of authority by law-enforcement, which has not been followed by an effective investigation,” the statement reads.

The NGOs have made a list of proposals, saying it will help the government to find a way out of the current situation:

1. Ensure comprehensive and effective investigation and fair prosecution of the teenagers’ murder case, including abuse of power and possible instances of falsification in service by officials linked with the case;
2. The parliamentary commission, to be set up shortly, should monitor not only the case of the teenagers but other similar cases as well, which contain signs of excessive use of power by the law enforcers;
3. Dismiss those officials who failed to ensure implementation of consistent, meaningful and effective reforms in the field of criminal law and justice;
4. To ensure broad involvement in the process of selection of the new Chief Prosecutor (since the Prosecutor General resigned amid the protests);
5. Renew works on the creation of an effective independent investigative mechanism that will not only investigate but also have the function to criminally prosecute crimes committed by the law-enforcement system.
6. Timely reform the justice system and launch a fundamental reform of the Prosecutor’s Office, the Interior Ministry and the State Security Service.

By Thea Morrison