ISFED reacts to developments at the University
International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) is monitoring the developments at Tbilisi State University (TSU). Over the recent days, some of the students at the TSU have been expressing a peaceful protest against the system of student self-government system and the so-called ODRs at the university.
On March 14, a counter-rally held in parallel with the students’ protests resulted in a confrontation between the two sides. Despite attempts of the law enforcement authorities to protect safety of the participants, physical clashes between the groups occurred. Supporters of the self-government, which included masked individuals, were especially aggressive.
ISFED believes that the practice of assigning the so-called ODRs to the University and any other educational institution is unacceptable and amounts to a gross interference with university life. Although the student participation in the process of decision-making at the university is crucial, relevant past experience clearly illustrates that the present form of student self-government is not effective to ensure that actual problems that are affecting students are heard and resolved.
In light of the ongoing developments, ISFED urges:
- the law enforcement authorities to ensure safety at the university and prevent further escalation of violence among the opposing sides;
-the opposing groups to refrain from any violent actions to prevent further escalation of the situation;
- political officials to completely distance themselves away from the developments at the university and not to encourage any of the parties to engage in a confrontation;
- the state institutions to consider demands of the students; take measures to find systemic solutions to these problems with the involvement of students and public in general;
ISFED will continue to monitor the developments at the University and will engage in monitoring of different bodies of the university, as needed.
ISFED believes that a university should be a free space with essentially equal conditions for all, where privileged groups don’t exist, key human rights values are upheld and autonomy of the university is protected at all levels.