Open Society Institute Appeals for End to State of Emergency in Georgia

New York—The Open Society Georgia Foundation and the Open Society Institute urge the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared by President Saakashvili.

We support the president’s decision to call for early elections on January 5 provided they can be held under conditions that conform with international standards for a free and fair electoral contest. The state of emergency needs to be lifted before the campaign begins. All candidates must be granted equal access to the media and domestic and international election monitors need to have unimpeded access to polling places. The Open Society Georgia Foundation will be engaged in monitoring the elections.

We also call for the rapid restoration of freedom of the media and the establishment of an independent commission to review cases of alleged improper imprisonment, excessive use of force by law enforcement officials, and the destruction and confiscation of private property.

We appeal to all parties to work on forging a political consensus though a dialogue aimed at strengthening Georgia’s young democracy.

####

The Open Society Institute works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. To achieve its mission, OSI seeks to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, OSI builds alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information. OSI places a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of marginalized people and communities.

Investor and philanthropist George Soros in 1993 created OSI as a private operating and grantmaking foundation to support his foundations in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Those foundations were established, starting in 1984, to help countries make the transition from communism. OSI has expanded the activities of the Soros foundations network to encompass the United States and more than 60 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Each Soros foundation relies on the expertise of boards composed of eminent citizens who determine individual agendas based on local priorities.