Regina Yegorova-Askerova, a dedicated Lithuanian human rights activist, faced an unexpected barrier when she was denied entry into Georgia after residing there for 15 years with her family. Upon her arrival at the border, border officials turned her away without providing clarity on the situation, leaving her in a state of confusion.
Previously, Yegorova-Askerova had made significant contributions as a former journalist and served as the regional director for the Swedish women’s rights organisation Kvinna till Kvinna in the South Caucasus. Her plight sheds light on a concerning trend; in 2023 alone, Georgia saw 190 foreigners deported, predominantly from Azerbaijan.
On March 20, she shared her predicament on Facebook, attaching an image of the border document that stated she “does not meet other requirements established by Georgian law.” In reflection, she poignantly remarked, “It clearly illustrates where the country is today in a nutshell.”
Recent patterns show that numerous foreign nationals, particularly critics of regimes in Russia and Azerbaijan, have faced similar entry denials. Notable examples include the prohibitions placed on Pavel Astakhov and journalist Igor Miglan, among others, who also found themselves turned away without detailed justification.
In response to these troubling denials, the Georgian organisation “Centre for Social Justice” sought to contest the arbitrary restrictions in the Constitutional Court, but their efforts were met with refusal as the court declined to hear the case.
Regina Yegorova-Askerova, a Lithuanian human rights activist, was denied entry to Georgia after 15 years of residency, facing an unexplained border rejection. This incident reflects a growing trend of entry denials for critics of certain governments, as seen in other instances involving activists and intellectuals. The Georgian court’s refusal to challenge these policies raises concerns about human rights awareness in the country.
The denial of entry faced by Regina Yegorova-Askerova underscores a troubling trend regarding the treatment of foreign critics in Georgia, raising important questions about the nation’s human rights posture. As such incidents multiply, they cast a shadow on Georgia’s commitments to free expression and human rights, particularly for those opposing authoritarian regimes.
Original Source: jam-news.net
