UNM’s Bezhashvili: past rights violations are party’s political responsibility

United National Movement (UNM) leader Levan Bezhashvili has acknowledged that violations of individual rights during the party’s time in government remain a political responsibility for the opposition party, while arguing that they do not constitute grounds for its dissolution.

Speaking about the Constitutional Court proceedings on a lawsuit seeking to ban five opposition parties, Bezhashvili described the evidence presented by the plaintiffs concerning alleged widespread rights violations as manipulative and politically motivated.

“Regardless of how numerous they may have been, any violation of an individual’s rights is our political problem, responsibility and burden,” Bezhashvili said.

He added that the party was approaching the issue with political responsibility and examining the relevant reports carefully. He said the documents would serve as guidance for its future political activities, with the aim of preventing similar violations and addressing concerns about the conduct of state institutions under previous UNM governments.

The Constitutional Court is considering a case brought by 88 members of parliament seeking to declare five opposition parties unconstitutional and prohibit their activities.