EECMD Statement on the conditions affecting Mikheil Saakashvili, the former President of Georgia

Protecting the health and survival of Mikheil Saakashvili is an important humanitarian and political issue that will significantly impact the future of our nation.

No prisoner in Georgia, not even the most dangerous ones, should be in a state in which we witnessed the former President at his trial yesterday. Human dignity and life are above all the other interests.

Mikheil Saakashvili has played a major role in creating a modern Georgian state. We also understand that for many of our fellow citizens he is an unacceptable politician today. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that who we are as a society is defined not by how we treat those we like, but by how we treat those of whom we disapprove most.

We, as a society, must not allow hatred to guide our lives. Political beliefs must never influence legal decisions. Continuation of the current situation under which Saakashvili is now, or worse, his death, will be a devastating tragedy for our nation and this cannot be allowed.

Protecting the health and survival of Mikheil Saakashvili is an important humanitarian and political issue that will significantly impact the future of our nation.