# CE2004084EN.01049501.xml

| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/495 |
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3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 84/495

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(2004/C 84 E/0573)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2572/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(6 August 2003)

Subject:   Attacks on freedom of religion in Georgia affecting members of Pentecostal, Baptist, Catholic and Orthodox confessions and Jehovah's Witnesses

Subject:

Knowing that:

| — | Over the last four years, religious minorities in Georgia have been subjected to unprecedented levels of violence from ‘vigilantes’. |
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Over the last four years, religious minorities in Georgia have been subjected to unprecedented levels of violence from ‘vigilantes’.

| — | Members of Pentecostal, Baptist, Catholic, and Orthodox confessions, as well as Jehovah's Witnesses, have been attacked by mobs orchestrated by self-styled Orthodox ‘vigilantes’. |
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Members of Pentecostal, Baptist, Catholic, and Orthodox confessions, as well as Jehovah's Witnesses, have been attacked by mobs orchestrated by self-styled Orthodox ‘vigilantes’.

| — | Over a hundred attacks on religious minorities have been identified in these four years, and the public and the police are well aware of who their authors are; despite this, no-one has ever been prosecuted. |
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Over a hundred attacks on religious minorities have been identified in these four years, and the public and the police are well aware of who their authors are; despite this, no-one has ever been prosecuted.

| — | The religious violence in Georgia has been condemned by such figures as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and by Pope John Paul II. |
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The religious violence in Georgia has been condemned by such figures as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and by Pope John Paul II.

And considering that:

| — | On 15 June 2003, in the village of Akhalsopeli, a Baptist church burnt down. The members of the Baptist community deny the claim made by the Governor of East Georgia district that they set their own church on fire. The villagers have threatened to deny the Baptists permission to rebuild their church and to destroy it again if it is rebuilt. |
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On 15 June 2003, in the village of Akhalsopeli, a Baptist church burnt down. The members of the Baptist community deny the claim made by the Governor of East Georgia district that they set their own church on fire. The villagers have threatened to deny the Baptists permission to rebuild their church and to destroy it again if it is rebuilt.

| — | On 13 July 2003, in Tbilisi, Orthodox vigilantes prevented a Pentecostal church from holding meetings for the sixth Sunday running, surrounding the house where the meeting was due to take place and chanting ‘Russians, go back to Russia and do whatever you want there’. According to Pastor Kalutsky, the demonstrators identified themselves as Orthodox and said their aim was to stop non-Orthodox religious services from being held. |
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On 13 July 2003, in Tbilisi, Orthodox vigilantes prevented a Pentecostal church from holding meetings for the sixth Sunday running, surrounding the house where the meeting was due to take place and chanting ‘Russians, go back to Russia and do whatever you want there’. According to Pastor Kalutsky, the demonstrators identified themselves as Orthodox and said their aim was to stop non-Orthodox religious services from being held.

In view of the excellent relations of cooperation existing between the EU and Georgia, can the Commission state whether it is aware of the above facts and indicate what initiatives, in the context of the cooperation relationship, could constitute an effective and workable means of inducing Georgia to ensure respect for freedom of religion?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 September 2003)

(15 September 2003)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his Written Question E-2257/03 (1).

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(1)  See page 483.

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