Research objective - Web viewLabor Code / work permit In every phere Information about citizens rights ... 0.019 0.15 0.097 0.095 0.093 0.102 0.051 0.121 0.101 0.091 0.074 It is rather

POPULATION RESEARCH

1. Research objectiveCore objective of the qualitative component of the study was to reveal general overview of the situation in the context of human rights in Georgia by assessing and identifying attitudes, awareness and general understandings of this field among general population.

2. Research Methodology

As mentioned above based on the research objectives study methodology combined qualitative as well as quantitative approaches. In case of quantitative component F2F interviews were used. In Tbilisi for collecting data was used omnibus method while in other rural or urban parts of the country was applied F2F interviewing approach.

3. Sampling

Research was conducted throughout the whole country including rural and urban areas with 1000 respondents as total sample size. Except Tbilisi this included 9 more regions of the country. According to number of population for each settlement sample size was proportionally allocated to the whole research area that allowed us to get aggregated data for the capital city of Tbilisi and for urban and rural parts of Georgia separately. The exact distribution of interviews per city/region is shown in the table below:

City/Region N of respondentsTbilisi 269Adjara 83Guria 34Mtskheta-Tianeti 23Samegrelo 101Imereti 174Kakheti 89Samtskhe-Javakheti 43Kvemo Kartli 113Shida Kartli 71Total 1000

4. Fieldworks

Fieldworks were carried out during a month from mid-September to mid-October. Before the actual fieldworks was carried out questionnaire testing so called pilotage in order to reveal possible defects the questionnaire might have. Pilotage was conducted only in Tbilisi and in accordance to the sampling instructions were selected several households and respondents with last birthday method. During test interviewing process were identified relatively insignificant wording and sentence formulation issues that were edited. Once all of the questionnaire variables were reviewed by the statisticians and team of coding, the final version edited on the basis of pilotage was sent to the client for approval and only after receiving a definitive confirmation it was launched in the field.

After elaborating and agreeing on final questionnaire, derived from the research topics, project manager selected appropriate interviewers and organized briefing for both regional supervisors and interviewers. The aim of the briefing was to introduce the content of the questionnaire, sampling principles, sampling distribution and timings for questionnaire collection to them.

Regional supervisers ensured interviewer’s group gatherings in their regions and explained terms highlited during the master briefing in Tbilisi. Concequently interviewers and hence the questionnares were allocated to the settled areas and sampling points. After each working day regional supervisers carried out qualitative verification of the collected questionnaires and upon necessity giving relevant instructions to the interviewers that were agreed with field manager and/or project manager.

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Once all of the questionnaires were collected in the headoffice in order to reveal any logical innapropriateness or some other gaps (skipped questions, incorrect routing from question to question, etc.) was carried out revision of the filled out questionnaires. In case of detecting errors they were discussed and eliminated by the field and project managers. In addition, in case of open ended questions without preliminarily alleged options, answers were assigned relevant codes by the specialists and if there has been dedtected some dubious elements by the coding staff, field controll personal contacted the respondent to double-check the information.

5. Data controlling procedures

Controlling works were launched simultaneously to the fieldworks and were carried out gradually in a following manner:

In order to check the fact whether or not the indicated respondents were interviewed 15% of questionnaires were controlled (5% by visits, 10% by phone);

5% of questionnaire was controlled in terms of following the determined route (by visits);

100% of filled out qeustionnaires undergone logical controll; 100% of the questionnaires was controlled in terms of proper data

entry and cleansing. Visit controll was carried out in case of 5%

6. Data Processing and cleaning

To punch and then process the obtained data statisticians designed a specific research file in SPSS format. It allowed DP department to identify whether or not the obtained data fully corresponded and met with the preliminarily determined sociodemographic makeup and sampling parameters. After the data went through the controlling and cleaning works it was wighted and extrapolated to Georgia’s whole – rural and urban population with 3 percent margin of error.

7. Respondents’ Socio-demographic makeup

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Structure of respondents was distributed as shown in a figure 1. 52% of the total number of respondents was females and 48% males. Naturally, the largest majority in terms of nationally was Georgian with 86% of the whole sample, then it was followed by Armenians with 6%, Azerbaijani 5%, Russians 2% and only 1% of respondents belonged to other nationalities. Four age groups were separated: 19% of respondents belonged to the lowest 18-24 age group; 25-34 age group representatives amounted 23% of respondents; in 35-44 age group fell 26% of respondents and relatively smallest was 55-64 age group with 13% of respondents. 54% of respondents are dwellers of urban settlements 27% of which lives in Tbilisi and 27%

Figure1. Respondent profile, base = 1000

In other cities of Georgia and 46% are dwellers of rural settlements. 63% of interviewed population was unemployed while only 37% stated they were employed. In relation to economic status respondents were classified in 5

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economic segments based on their HH’s financial self-esteem in a following manner:

A1 - Is not experiencing any financial pressure, in case of necessity can afford a flat/summer house with own resources or with a credit;

A2 - With own finances can afford everything except apartment, summer house and other expensive things of this kind;

B - Can afford all kinds of home appliances, but cannot buy a new vehicle with own expenses

C1 -Can hardly afford home appliances with a credit or own finances C2 - Income is sufficient for nutrition, but can hardly afford apparel C3 - Can hardly afford nutrition at home

36% of the respondents were united in the higher A and B income categories; 30% belonged to C1 category and 34% to C2 economic segment. As for educational background of the respondents, 59% of them had acquired secondary of lower level of education, 21% had higher or incomplete higher education and 20% of surveyed population had masters of PHD degree.

8. How respondents interpreted concept of human rights

The initial question respondents were asked was to interpret how they understood the term “human rights”. There have been mentioned a wide range of different assumptions. Most frequently mentioned answer was protecting human rights in every sphere. Here, it is noteworthy that answers were nominated spontaneously, without any close ended options, thus it was the first most common top of mind suggestion respondents could recall (24%). It is followed by second most frequently nominated interpretation – the right to free and independent actions (18%). Freedom of speech was named by 11% of respondents which was followed by rule of low for everyone (9%) and equality (7%). Relatively fewer mentioning had life safety (5%), Right to work (4%) and social, material and economic safety (4%). 14% of respondents refrained from giving a specific answer of the question.

Among other rights that according to the surveyed population are considered as human rights were nominated also right to belief and religion; right to work; right to medical care; freedom of choice and political views.

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The biggest gap in comparison of men and women answers was detected during mentioning the rights to free and independent actions that was nominated by 14% of females and 22% males.

In terms of different responses, while answering this question men were tend to be more reticent than women – if 12% of women refined from answering it, in case of men it was 16% who did not give a specific answer on it.

For the majority of the respondents (24%) it was hard to formulate and give the definite answer on this question and gave quite broad and an obscure definition of the term as “protecting human rights in every sphere”. It is worth mentioning that such vulnerable rights as equality and right to work were nominated only by 4-5% of the respondents.

Figure2. When speaking about human rights, how do you interpret this term? (Total)

Protecting human rights in every sphere

Right to free and independent actions

Freedom of speech

Rule of law for everyone

Equality

Life safety

Right to work

Social, economic and material safetyProtecting human rights by government and

legislationDon't know/ Hard to answer

24%

18%

11%

9%

7%

5%

4%

4%

3%

15%

When speaking about human rights, how do you interpret this term? (Total)

N=1000

Figure2A. When speaking about human rights, how do you interpret this term? (According to gender distribution)

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Protecting human rights in every sphere

Freedom of speech

Equality

Right to work

Protecting human rights by government and legislation

25%

14%

11%

10%

7%

6%

4%

5%

4%

14%

23%

22%

10%

9%

6%

4%

4%

4%

3%

15%

When speaking about human rights, how do you interpret this term? (According to

gender distribution)

FemaleMale

To speak about the gap depicted during collecting answers on the same question by gender obtained figures show it was in case of “Right to free and independent actions” where the difference between men (22%) and women (14%) answers is 8%.

9. Respecting human rights in Georgia

Despite the varied segment of respondents, either by location, education, age group, economic status, gender or employment the results can be estimated to be alarming, in all clusters we see the indicator of respondents of those respondents who believe the human rights are not respected in their country is too high. The average rate for all segments amounts 64%. The highest number of negative responses on this question was depicted in Tbilisi, 77% of the Tbilisi residents consider human rights are not respected in Georgia and only 16% finds it to be respected. In other urban areas it was 60% and in rural 58%.

Women tend to assess human rights situation more negatively than men. Only 24% of women consider human rights to be protected 66% vice versa, while in case of men the positive answer is stated by 32% and those who disagree that human rights are protected totals 61%.

Most critical attitudes are expressed in 35-44 age group population. 67% of respondents in this group believe human rights in Georgia are not respected

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and 25% the opposite. Responses of employed and unemployed respondents were quite divergent while assessing human rights situation. If 32% of the employed population assesses human rights situation to be positive and 58% - negative, in case of unemployed interviewees 25% evaluates the picture positively and 67% of them think human rights are not respected. It is natural that the lowest economic segment representatives evaluate the situation most critically. It is interesting that the highest education level respondents hold the more severe they assess human rights situation in Georgia. 24% of respondents with master’s or PhD degree evaluate the situation positively and=68% negatively. Respondents with relatively lower educational background are slightly les

Figure3. Do you feel that human rights are respected in Georgia?

TotalTbilisi

RuralFemale

Age25-3445-54

EmploymentUnemployed

A+BC2

Secondary or lower/ TechnicalMaster's degree/ PhD

0.280.16

0.290.34

0.240.320.31

0.250.25

0.290.310.32

0.250.290.3

0.240.280.29

0.24

0.640.77

0.60.58

0.660.610.62

0.650.670.620.590.58

0.670.61

0.640.66

0.620.64

0.68

0.080.07

0.110.080.10.070.070.10.080.090.10.10.080.10.060.10.10.070.08

Do you feel that human rights are respected in Georgia?

YesNoDon't know

8

10. Kind of human rights - violated in Georgia

While respondents are talking about Human Rights Abuses in Georgia, most of them – 13% -emphasizes that human rights are violated not only in the social but as well as in any other fields. This percentage rate is followed by material-economic indicators – 12% and labor rights – 11%. First three indicators of Human Rights Abuses have economic nature which can be explained by the current severe socio-economic environment in Georgia. This is followed by the right of free medical care and treatment – 10% which can also be explained by the poor economic conditions. The rate of those who did not respond is quite high – 7% - which indicates insufficient level of public awareness. Violations of Human Rights by Law Enforcement institutions have comparatively low rates – 5%. Last place is taken by fair judicial and education rights – 4%.

Figure4. What kind of human rights are violated in Georgia?

Social sphere as well as any other field

Social, materia/economic

Right to work

Right to free medical care and treatment

DK/cannot recall

Criminal/police/prosecutor/enforcement bodies

Right to justice in the courts

Sphere of education

13%

12%

11%

10%

7%

5%

4%

4%

Total

A big part of Tbilisi population – 25% - thinks that Human Rights are violated in social as well as in any other fields while this indicator is lower in urban – 12% and rural – 7% population. The difference in the rates is directly related

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to the level of public awareness. Population of Tbilisi has more opportunities of getting information than the rest of the population in the different parts of Georgia. Also, there is a big difference between the free medical care and treatment rights indications; but in this case this is considered the problem by 6% of Tbilisi population only, while in other cities and villages these indications are 11-13%. This is caused by the lack of the hospitals in the regions of Georgia. Population of Tbilisi is more concerned by the fair judicial system as well as education rights – 9% - while consider the violations of human rights by Law Enforcement institutions less troublesome; the same concern shares only 3-5% of urban and rural communities.

Unemployed and employed respondents equally acknowledge labor rights abuses that can be caused due to the various motives. Unemployed population thinks that they should have jobs, while the employed ones think that their rights are violated specifically at their workplaces (by the employees). The situation is similar among the respondents with different economic statuses. 13% of respondents with high economic status consider that their labor rights are violated while the indicator of the respondents with lower economic status is almost same – 14%.

As for the level of the education, it`s directly related to the identification of human rights abuses. In general, more educated respondents, such as Bachelor students or people with Bachelor degrees (15%), Masters/PHDs (15%) can more clearly see human rights abuses in all spheres of public life than the respondents with secondary or lower/technical certificates (12%). It should be noted that more respondents with higher education levels (7%) than the respondents with the lower education levels (2-3%) think that education rights are violated.

11. Specific situations in which respondents or their acquaintance’s human rights were violated

It is not surprising that while respondents talk about their or their acquaintance’s rights abuses few of them mention specific situations as an examples. Generally people find it difficult and feel awkward to widely publicize such cases. 35% of respondents don`t know or cannot answer this question. All other cases are named by only 2-3% of the respondents.

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Figure5. Please describe a specific situation in which your human rights or the human rights of an acquaintance were violated?

Unfair dismissal

Unfair social aids

Right to ownership

Abuse of power by police

Violation of labour code

Unempolyment

Refusal

DK/cannot recall

3%

3%

2%

2%

2%

2%

2%

35%

Total

It is worth noting that the dismissal from the jobs has more frequently happened to the respondents with the lowest economic status (5%); also respondents with the highest education levels have dealt with the same problem (6%).

12. Source of information on human rights

For the majority of the respondents (85%) the main source of the information is media. All segments of population are able to get the information from this source. This indicator is followed by friends and family (40%). The last one is more important for the unemployed respondents, 44% of whom got the information from this source while for the employed respondents this indicator is 34%. Also, it`s worth noting that relatively low number of respondents with higher education levels have received information from their families and friends. They try to collect the information by themselves, independently than receiving it from the other people.

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Figure6. From what sources have you received information on human rights?

Media

Friends, family

Internet

School/University

In relation to work

Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association (NGO)

Government institutions and local governments

85%

40%

25%

11%

11%

4%

4%

total

The result is that the largest source of the information is the internet (25%). Such indicator is logical because in many regions of Georgia, population has no access to the internet. This is confirmed by information share obtained from the internet according to the distribution of the place of residence, where the percentage share of Tbilisi is 46%, other urban settlements – 23%, and rural population – 15%. Also, it should be noted that from the internet users share, youth can receive more information from the internet than the representatives of older generation. Also respondents with the high economic status get more information by the means of the internet and their share is 34%, while this rate is 14% among the representatives of lower economic circle. There is a significant difference between the respondents of different education levels. Respondents with lower education level get less information from the internet sources; only 16% of them have received the information about the human rights abuses from the Internet, while 37-41% of the respondents with Bachelor or higher degrees got the same information from the Internet sources. When it comes to the sources of the internet which are used to receive the information, turned out that the largest source

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is social network “Facebook’’ (6%) on the other hand for the large number of respondents (13%) it`s hard to name one specific site.

Figure7. Internet sources

Information sites

Google

Ambebi.ge

Youtube

Social networks

Facebook

Don't know

Do not use Internet

1%

1%

1%

1%

2%

6%

13%

75%

Internet sources

Users

Another source for receiving information about human rights abuses is school-university and job, each of them share 11-11% indicators. It is not strange that youth often receive information about this specific subject at their schools-universities, because some of them still studying or some of them have just graduated, but most of them indicate that the information they got is not enough. Also it`s logical that more share of employed people receive information from their workplaces than unemployed ones and employed people tend to consider that information they received was enough than people who doesn`t work right now.

It should be noted that only 5% of the respondents have received the information about the human rights from state and local government institutions; and the most of the information was received from the Public Defender, but its percentage is very low (1.2%) and indicates to the passivity of this institute. In general, low rate of state institutions, indicates poor quality of work in the field of human rights by the governing structures.

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13. Sufficiency of information on human rights topicsMajority of respondents (46%) considers that the information which they got about human rights from the different sources was rather little. 23% consider that it was rather sufficient; for 11% this information was completely sufficient and for the 12% it was not enough at all. Urban population in comparison with Tbilisi population thinks that the information they received was not enough. The reason may be that the population of Tbilisi can more clearly see some problems than the population of the rural communities. People living in rural areas do not have access to some specific means of information which population of Tbilisi does. Also by the lack of information suffer respondents between 35-54 ages. As for the segments who consider that they have enough information about human rights, firstly they are employed respondents as well as respondents with the highest economic status. The rest of the data segment is the same and there is no significant difference between them. Figure8. Has there been enough information on human rights topics?

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TotalTbilisi

RuralFemale

Age25-3445-54


A+BC2


0.110.12

0.060.14

0.10.12

0.160.17

0.070.08

0.10.16

0.090.130.12

0.080.110.13

0.11

0.230.23

0.260.22

0.250.21

0.20.21

0.240.26

0.260.25

0.220.25

0.230.21

0.220.24

0.26

0.460.46

0.430.47

0.460.45

0.420.46

0.50.450.42

0.430.47

0.480.41

0.470.45

0.490.43

0.120.12

0.140.12

0.120.130.1

0.080.13

0.150.190.09

0.140.08

0.110.18

0.120.09

0.17

0.080.07

0.110.05

0.070.09

0.120.080.060.06

0.030.070.080.06

0.130.06

0.10.050.03

Has there been enough information on human rights topics?

Yes, completely sufficiently Rather sufficiently Rather little Very little

Not interested/ Can't say

As for the respondents` choice about getting more information they wish to be more informed about social and economic security fields (12%). Demand for this information is distinguished by some specifics in different segments. According to the place of residence this is mostly wished by the population of Tbilisi – 16 % and rural communities – 12%; and only 9% of urban population. There is a similar distinction in the different economic indicator segments. The respondents with lowest economic status (17%) have requirement for this kind of information; this is followed by the respondents with the highest economic status – 14%. As for the respondents with average economic status only 4% of them want to receive information about this subject.

Second, most required topic is Health/Treatment issues. Around 7% of respondents require information about Health and treatment issues. Of course, most share of this kind of respondents comes to the rural population as they are more concerned about healthcare problems.

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Thereafter comes the Labor Code and Work Permit (5%). Mostly urban population and unemployed people suffer from the lack of this exact kind of information; because mostly unemployment is the biggest problem in other cities. The rate of the respondents who did not respond is very high (14%). This once more indicates that in general respondents don`t truly understand the concept of Human Rights.Figure9. In what field might there be more information?

Social security/financial, economic security

Health/ treatment issues

Labor Code / work permit

In every phere

Information about citizens rights

Impartial court/Law enforcement

Education

DK/cannot recall

12%

7%

5%

5%

3%

2%

2%

14%

Total

14. Informational channels

The biggest part of the respondents (31%) wants to receive information about the human rights from television. This result is quite logical as the television is the most common, easiest and relatively cheap source of information. Then most required source of information is media (Non-TV) and lastly the Internet (11%). Such distribution of data is due to the information source characteristics as media compared to the Internet is easier to access. Also it doesn`t require specific equipments and knowledge how to use them which is necessary in case of the internet.

Figure10. Through which channels would you prefer to receive the relevant information?

16

Television

Media

Internet

DK/cannot recall

31%

13%

11%

4%

Total

Considering the named sources of getting information, it`s not surprising that mostly population of Tbilisi wants to receive information from media (23%) and Internet (18%) than from the television (17%) while in contrast 29% of urban and 40% of rural population wants to receive information from television.

Figure11. Through which channels would you prefer to receive the relevant information?

Television

Media

Internet

DK/cannot recall

17%

23%

18%

6%

29%

12%

8%

5%

40%

7%

8%

3%

RuralUrbanTbilisi

As for the age distribution, the first segment who are 18-24 age respondents as expected are reluctant to receive information from television because

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they don`t watch TV often; they want to get the information from the internet (17%) in comparison with the people of other age categories. In receiving information from media sources are more interested representatives of older generation than the young people.Figure12. Through which channels would you prefer to receive the relevant information?

Television

Media

Internet

Don't know/ Can't recall

20%

8%

17%

3%

32%

9%

7%

5%

34%

17%

13%

6%

33%

12%

11%

4%

35%

18%

4%

5%

Through which channels would you prefer to receive the relevant information?

55-6445-5435-4425-3418-24

The cash value of the source directly indicates which representative of the economic indicator wants to receive more information from which sources. Television is cheaper, thus it is most attractive among the respondents with the low economic status. Its percentage share is 39%, while among the owners of high and average economic status it is 28 and 26 percent. Thus the internet is more attractive source of information for those two segments. Figure13. Through which channels would you prefer to receive the relevant information?

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Education is also an important indicator to influence which source people will use to get the information. Less educated people tend to prefer television while more educated ones choose media and Internet. These sources of information are much more versatile and require more complex ways of information processing while information received from the television is easier to perceive. Figure14. Through which channels would you prefer to receive the relevant information?(According to education level distribution)

Television

Media

Internet

DK/cannot recall

28%

15%

12%

5%

26%

11%

14%

3%

39%

12%

7%

6%

C2C1A+B

19

Television

Media

Internet

DK/cannot recall

38%

11%

7%

3%

24%

12%

16%

7%

19%

19%

16%

6%

Master’s degree/PhDIncomplete higher (s-tudent)/higerSecondary or lower/technical

15. Pursuing relations with countries where human rights are brutally violated

Respondents answered the question “is it ethical from Georgia to maintain relations with the countries where Human Rights are violated in extreme ways?’’. The number of the negative responses is more than number of positive responses which on the one hand is a positive fact and indicates that the respondents have some understanding of the importance of human rights and in general they have negative attitude towards its violations. It is worth noting that population of Tbilisi tends to have less negative attitude towards this issue and only 12% of the respondents consider that Georgia should break off the relations with the countries which brutally violate human rights. The larger part of the population in other cities and villages take more radical position and therefore 35.6% and 38.7% consider that relations should be stopped with such countries.

Also it`s worth noting that more educated respondents are less radical. Only 21.6%-22.7% of Students of Master/PHD as well as Bachelor students/graduates tend to have extremely radical position while 36.7% of less educated respondents have the same position.Figure15. Is it ethical for the Georgian state to pursue relations with countries where human rights are brutally violated?

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TotalUrban

Female18-2445-54

EmployedA+B

EducationMaster's degree/ PhD

0.1530.1520.1780.138

0.1280.180.1410.1210.1570.1770.1850.1520.153

0.1340.2030.1280.1330.1710.193

0.0930.0940.0890.096

0.090.0970.120.1070.019 0.150.097

0.0950.0930.1020.0510.1210.1010.0910.074

0.2950.330.2620.293

0.3120.2760.2920.3180.351 0.2310.234

0.3540.260.3930.2270.25

0.2760.3330.308

0.3060.12 0.3560.387

0.320.2920.2710.3310.3280.3040.274

0.2620.3320.2470.3250.352

0.3670.2160.227

0.1530.304 0.1150.086

0.150.1550.1760.1230.1450.1380.21

0.1370.1620.1240.1940.1490.1230.1890.198

Is it ethical for the Georgian state to pur-sue relations with countries where human

rights are brutally violated?

There is nothing wrong about it It doesn't bother meIt is rather unethical Relations should be cut off with such countriesCan't say

16. Human Rights that apply to all people

Respondents could choose several rights which they believe applies to all citizens. It is not surprising that the right to life has the highest percentage rate (90%); then follows the right to work (83%); this can be explained by the

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existing severe socio-economic conditions in Georgia. For this reason in the percentage distribution most distinguished are the following social issues: right of free medical care and treatment (77%), right of education (72%), social security, leave and pension rights (65%). While such fundamental rights such as: right of equality (81%), right to justice in the courts (73%), freedom of speech, press and religion (64%), right to protection of personal data (61%), woman’s and men’s equal right (58%), right to ownership and protection of property from arbitrary expropriation (56%) - have relatively low indicators.Figure16. In your opinion which of the following rights do you feel are human rights that apply to all people?

Right to life

Right to equality


Right to social security, leave, and pension

Right to freedom of speech, press and religion

Right to protection of personal data

Right to ownership and protection of property from arbitrary expropriation

Right to assembly in associations

90%83%

81%77%

73%72%

65%64%64%

62%61%

58%56%

55%35%

total

Interestingly population of Tbilisi gives a less consideration to the right to work, equality, free medical care and treatment, education and fair elections as the universal rights. This may be caused by the fact that they are less concerned with this problems than the rest of the population in the regions, therefore they don`t properly share these rights as universal ones.

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Figure17. In your opinion which of the following rights do you feel are human rights that apply to all people?

Right to life

Right to equality


Right to social security



Right to ownership and protection of property


85%75%

72%67%

64%64%

63%64%

62%49%

59%51%

62%49%

33%

93%86%

84%80%

71%78%

64%68%

65%67%

57%65%

53%60%

38%

92%86%

84%81%

80%74%

65%62%

64%67%

64%58%

55%56%

34%

In your opinion which of the following rights do you feel are human rights that

apply to all people?

Rural Urban Tbilisi

Mostly there is no clear difference between gender segments besides two issues: first one is the issue of free elections, where 66% of the men think that it is universal right; same thought shares 59% of women which can be explained by more involvement of the men in country`s political life. Second

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important difference refers to the equality of men and women, where 62% of women and 54% of men think that it`s universal right. Here as well the case deals with the problem which exists in the society – women consider their rights less protected, while men sometimes misunderstand or misinterpret women’s rights, thus this issue becomes less universal for them.

Figure18. In your opinion which of the following rights do you feel are human rights that apply to all people?

Right to life

Right to equality


Right to social security



Right to ownership and protection of property


90%83%

80%76%

72%71%

64%61%

65%66%

63%54%

59%53%

38%

91%83%

81%78%

74%73%

65%67%

63%59%59%

62%54%

57%32%

In your opinion which of the following rights do you feel are human rights that

apply to all people?

FemaleMale

17. Most important rights for Georgian Society

While respondents are being asked to emphasize five main problems, it becomes clear that social rights are more observed and promoted. Right to life still remains as number one and main right (66%). The following

24

problems appear on the ground of poor social-economic basis; such as: right to work (54%), free medical care and treatment (50%), right to education (28%) and right to social security, vacation and pension (24%). While the right to equality is one of the fundamentalist rights it has only 40% which negatively characterizes human rights awareness degree. Interestingly the right to justice in the courts is being referred by 35% of the respondents only. Such indicator is conditioned by existing situation through the country – in recent years, especially till the 2012 parliamentary elections the issue of the biased court has often been the subject of public discussion. As for the other rights they are presented almost at the same percentage rates.

Figure19. Please choose five of the most important rights from the list

Right to life

Right to free medical care and treatment



Right to inviolability of family and private life


Women’s and men’s equal rights


66%54%

50%40%

35%28%

25%24%23%

22%20%

20%19%

15%4%

Total

In this case as well free medical care and treatment has less importance among the population of Tbilisi – 38%; comparatively to other cities (53%) and villages (55%). Relatively more importance in Tbilisi has the right to protection of personal data (29%) than in the regions (13%) and villages (20%).

25

It has turned out that the right to work is more important for the unemployed (56%) than for the employed (49%) respondents. Here as well, the reason may be the different interpretation of the right to work – as the right to be employed and the rights violations at the workplace.

As for the education rates, the most educated respondents in comparison with less educated respondents have emphasized the importance of the right to freedom of speech, press and religion.

18. Human rights’s importance in everyday life

For the 66% of the respondents human rights are part of their everyday life and 11% partially agrees with this. This data indicates that in general people realize that human rights is not an abstract field and that it is an inseparable part of our everyday life; but here are two important factors that strongly influences this perception. These are education and awareness. Thus it is not surprising that most respondents with higher education (81%) completely disagree with this opinion, while less educated respondents have 71% and 60%. Also, important factor is difference in place of residence. 86% of the respondents in Tbilisi completely disagree with this thesis, 62% of the respondents from the regions and 57% of the respondents from the rural areas; this is caused by the level of awareness. Population of Tbilisi is more informed and they have more sources of getting the information and etc. that is why population of Tbilisi perceives human rights as part of their daily life.

Figure20. Human rights are not important to me in my everyday life

26

Total

Urban

Female

18-24

45-54

Employed

A+B

Education

Master's degree/ PhD

0.080.010.110.11

0.080.080.120.040.070.110.08

0.080.080.040.080.13

0.090.090.03

0.050.01 0.050.08

0.050.060.090.060.02 0.070.03

0.040.060.040.04 0.08

0.070.050.01

0.070.01 0.070.1

0.070.070.090.060.06 0.050.1

0.050.080.060.05 0.09

0.090.050.03

0.110.03 0.140.13

0.110.110.110.130.1 0.10.09

0.1 0.110.080.1 0.14

0.130.070.07

0.660.86 0.620.57

0.660.670.570.690.7 0.660.68

0.70.640.770.67 0.54

0.60.710.81

0.030.080.010.01

0.030.010.020.020.050.010.020.030.030.010.060.020.020.030.05

"Human rights are not important to me in my everyday life"

Agree completely Agree somewhat Neither agree or disagreeDisagree somewhat Disagree completely Can't say

19. “Violation of human rights is a problem in some countries but not in Georgia”

47% of the respondents completely and somewhat disagree with this opinion, which indicates that they see violation of human rights in Georgia. While in contrast, 31% of the respondents completely and somewhat agree with this thesis. They cannot see these problems in Georgia, and this is caused by the level of awareness as well. In this case also, respondents with higher education tend to deny this option and with the decrease of the education level answers of the respondents correspondingly change. Situation is the same during the partition by place of residence. Tbilisi, with the most informed population relatively better sees the problems in the

27

human rights field unlike the regions of Georgia and especially rural communities. Figure21. Violation of human rights is a problem in some countries but not in Georgia

Total

Urban

Female

18-24

45-54

Employed

A+B

Education


0.120.060.130.14

0.110.120.120.080.110.150.13

0.080.130.080.140.13

0.120.10.11

0.190.15 0.170.22

0.180.20.140.230.16 0.250.15

0.17 0.20.17 0.210.19

0.20.190.14

0.160.05 0.19 0.21

0.160.160.180.180.16 0.140.14

0.14 0.170.12 0.150.21

0.170.170.11

0.160.19 0.15 0.15

0.150.160.160.150.15 0.160.2

0.15 0.160.15 0.140.18

0.160.140.19

0.310.46 0.320.23

0.320.310.30.310.380.240.3

0.4 0.270.420.290.22

0.280.330.39

0.060.090.040.050.080.050.10.050.040.060.080.060.070.060.070.070.070.070.06

"Violation of human rights is a problem in some countries but not in Georgia"


20. European Convention on Human Rights and Georgian law

For the most of the respondents The European Convention on Human Rights takes precendence over Georgian Law, but at the same time 19% of the respondents avoided to answer the question. This indicates that many don’t have the information about this issue and have a little knowledge about The European Convention of Human Rights.

28

Figure22. European Convention on Human Rights takes precedence over Georgian law

Total

Urban

Female

18-24

45-54

Employed

A+B

Education


0.290.320.320.270.310.28

0.290.22 0.350.340.270.310.29

0.340.30.240.280.320.31

0.20.210.20.20.220.190.270.19 0.190.220.14

0.20.210.240.130.24

0.2 0.260.15

0.130.110.160.14

0.150.120.110.21 0.110.110.12

0.130.140.140.130.13

0.14 0.10.14

0.090.04 0.080.12

0.080.090.080.090.090.080.1

0.080.090.060.130.07

0.10.060.08

0.090.140.050.09

0.060.130.050.10.110.090.1

0.090.090.090.070.11

0.070.120.13

0.20.180.190.180.180.190.20.190.150.160.270.190.18

0.130.240.210.210.140.19

European Convention on Human Rights takes precedence over Georgian law


21. StatementsRespondents were asked to rate how much they agreed or disagreed with the following statements:

Guaranteeing human rights is beneficial to all Georgian inhabitants Human rights are important for creating a more just society in

Georgia Respecting human rights also means the obligation to honor the

human rights of other individuals Standards should be established as to how public authority treats

people

29

It has turned out that the answers to the following tenets were characterized by similar distributions. Most of the respondents fully or partially agree with the following options. This index indicates that population realizes or intuitively feels that human rights is extremely sensitive and important issue in the life of the country and its citizens.

22. Organization / Institutions with high number of referrals in Georgia

Respondents were asked to choose 3 most important organizations/institutions to address if they consider that their rights are violated.

26% of the respondents answered that they would address Georgian Court. Compared to other instances Georgian Court has the highest indicator; but if we consider that the Court is the institute which is responsible for the restoration of violated human rights than this indicator is quite low. 21% of the respondents say that they address to the organizations dealing with prisoners rights, which emphasizes that there are specific problems in this issue. This is followed by the lawyers (17%) and such non-governmental organizations which give the free legal consultation; Georgian Young Lawyers` Association - 12% and Human Rights Center – 10%.Figure23. If you thought your human rights were violated, where would you turn to first? (Most Important one)

30

TotalUrban

Female18-2445-54

EmployedA+B

EducationMaster's degree/ PhD

0.260.240.290.330.250.22

0.210.320.280.250.330.230.230.250.240.280.250.250.32

0.120.120.120.090.120.15

0.12 0.110.110.13 0.140.110.12

0.110.120.130.130.1 0.11

0.210.19 0.220.18

0.220.190.26 0.190.210.2 0.15

0.180.260.190.19 0.24

0.220.250.13

0.10.140.050.13

0.10.10.080.080.090.10.03

0.15 0.110.110.09 0.09

0.10.10.09

0.170.150.190.16

0.190.160.210.120.180.170.25

0.150.130.220.18 0.120.150.20.21

0.140.160.130.11

0.120.180.120.180.130.150.1

0.180.150.120.180.14

0.150.10.14

If you thought your human rights were violated, where would you turn to first?

(Most important one)

Georgian courts Georgian Young Lawyer's AssociationOrganization dealing with prisoner's rights Human Rights centerLawyers Don't know

While mentioning the second organization/institute decreases the percentage indicator of Georgian Court and the lawyers. Georgian Court indicator decreases from 26% to 14% and lawyers` service from 17% to 12%. It`s worth noting that respondents find it difficult to list such kind of organizations, which is due to the lack of information; increases the number of “Can’t say’’ answers among the respondents – 9%. Figure24. If you thought your human rights were violated, where would you turn to first? (Second most important one)

31

Total

RuralAge

45-54

UnemployedC2


0.140.130.160.1

0.160.150.130.170.150.140.110.120.17

0.150.140.140.130.190.12

0.130.110.150.12

0.150.140.120.090.10.140.16

0.120.110.130.150.11

0.11 0.120.17

0.20.19 0.20.26

0.150.180.170.260.180.20.220.210.17

0.190.140.250.19 0.190.21

0.130.13 0.130.16

0.140.120.15 0.080.190.10.1

0.150.130.140.11 0.14

0.150.120.09

0.120.12 0.120.11

0.110.120.110.160.110.120.13

0.130.10.120.13 0.1

0.120.10.13

0.090.08 0.10.06

0.080.130.07 0.10.090.090.07

0.110.090.060.150.070.10.040.1

0.190.240.140.19

0.210.160.250.140.180.210.21

0.160.230.210.180.19

0.20.240.18


(Second most important one)

Georgian courts Georgian Young Lawyer's AssociationOrganization dealing with prisoner's rights Human Rights centerLawyers Don't knowDon't have a second preference

When it comes to the third choice applying to the Court falls further till 9%. Increases the number of “Can’t say’’ answers (18%). Also increases the percentage indicator of the lawyers` service (16%) and decreases the number of organizations which offer free consultations. It should be noted that there is not even a single new organization to which a significant number of people would have addressed. Figure25. If you thought your human rights were violated, where would you turn to first? (Third most important one)

32

Total

Urban

Female

18-24

45-54

Employed

A+B

Education


0.090.080.090.09

0.110.080.090.080.090.090.090.090.090.080.090.1

0.10.080.07

0.10.10.10.160.080.12

0.080.060.120.090.10.120.1

0.120.090.090.080.160.11

0.10.090.1 0.08

0.130.110.090.08 0.110.090.11

0.090.10.110.090.09

0.110.080.09

0.110.090.130.13

0.110.10.110.12 0.10.120.12

0.130.10.130.080.13

0.1 0.140.12

0.160.170.150.15

0.140.190.150.17 0.140.180.15

0.130.190.150.180.15

0.16 0.150.17

0.180.16 0.20.16

0.180.220.160.17 0.190.180.2

0.160.180.190.230.13

0.190.150.19

0.260.310.230.23

0.250.180.320.320.250.250.23

0.280.240.220.240.31

0.260.240.25


(Third most important one)

Georgian courts Georgian Young Lawyer's AssociationOrganization dealing with prisoner's rights Human Rights centerLawyers Don't knowDon't have a third preference

23. International organizations engaged in monitoring human rights situation In Georgia

Respondents were offered 4 possible answers. They could`ve chosen several organizations which carry out human rights monitoring. The largest percentage rate (36%) has UN. 17% of the respondents didn`t know the answer to this question which leads us to the above mentioned problem - there is a serious lack of information. This view will be reinforced if we look at the segmentation by the education level; we can see that respondents with higher education have the information about which organizations carry

33

out the monitoring and they can mention them; thus number of the answers “Can’t say’’ is less among them in contrast with the respondents who have lower education level. European Union and OSCE had equal results (12%); 6% stated that monitoring is carried out by European Council.

Figure27. Which international organizations are engaged in monitoring human rights situation?

United Nations

Can't say

European Union

OSCE

European Council

Other

36%

17%

12%

12%

6%

17%

Which international organizations are engaged in monitoring human rights situ-

ation?

Total

24. Human Rights that Georgia has the greatest problems ensuring

While respondents were asked which human rights field is the most problematic, they`ve mentioned social equality in the first place (41%), which is the highest index comparing to other fields. This is caused by the existing economic and social problems in Georgia. While people don`t solve this main problem, it`s hard for them to think about other problems and their identification. It may be surprising that second largest mentioned problem was the rights of persons with disabilities – 21%. This may be caused by the recent activities held by the human rights organizations working in this field. This is followed by the freedom of assembly, religion and free elections rights

34

with almost equal indicators: 19%, 17% and 16%. Comparatively low indicators have such important rights as, children rights and gender equality; and very low indicators to LGBT rights, age equality and racial, ethnic or linguistic equality. At the same time it should be mentioned that LGBT rights indicator – 5% is considered as quite high index which was caused by an increased number of discussions and active coverage of the problems related to this issue in the recent period.

Figure28. What human rights do you feel Georgia has the greatest problems ensuring?

Social equality

Disabled people’s rights

Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly

Freedom of religion

Free elections

Children’s rights

Gender equality

Rights of sexual minorities

Age-related equality

Racial, ethnic or linguistic equality

Can’t say

41%

21%

19%

17%

16%

9%

9%

5%

5%

4%

7%

Total

Tbilisi population is less concerned with the social equality problems (36%) than the population of urban (41%) and rural communities (44%). Also it`s worth noting that population of rural communities frequently mention problems related to religion freedom. Difference between rural and city population is 9-10%. Comparing to the cities rural communities are more related and united; relations are closer and let`s say this way – “everyone knows everything’’ hence it`s easier to identify individuals` religious beliefs; thus it also becomes easier to oppress individuals and violate their rights in

35

this regard. In general, violation of rights of religious minorities can be explained by the influence of the dominant Orthodox Church.

Figure28. What human rights do you feel Georgia has the greatest problems ensuring?

Social equality

Disabled people’s rights

Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly

Freedom of religion

Free elections

Children’s rights

Gender equality

Rights of sexual minorities

Age-related equality

Racial, ethnic or linguistic equality

Can’t say

36%

25%

22%

15%

17%

10%

7%

6%

6%

3%

14%

41%

17%

20%

16%

16%

11%

11%

7%

4%

4%

5%

44%

21%

17%

20%

15%

8%

9%

4%

5%

4%

5%

RuralUrbanTbilisi

More educated respondents tend to consider issues around specific groups and rights of minorities problematic than less educated as for them social problems are much more important. People with highest education levels tend to see problems in the rights of people with disabilities, religious minorities, children and sexual minorities.

25. Respondents level of awareness about human rights

36

When respondents were asked how much informed they were about the human rights before the interview most of them (46%) pointed out that they were “not very much" informed. 33.6% answered that they were sufficiently informed. Only a very small part of the respondents pointed out that they were fully aware and also another small part of the respondents said that they had a little knowledge around this subject; almost no one has stated that they doesn`t have information about human rights at all, which is a really good fact. But also it should be taken into consideration whether respondents have correct information about the human rights. As we`ve mentioned many times before more educated respondents have more information around this issue; as well as population of Tbilisi has more awareness around this subject than the population

37

of regions and especially people from rural communities. Also, respondents with higher economic status tend to think of themselves as more informed than ones from the lower economic circle.Figure29. How much did you know about the human rights before this interview?

38

TotalTbilisi

RuralFemale

Age25-3445-54


A+BC2


6.20%12.10%

4.10%4.00%6.50%5.80%5.80%4.70%5.00%5.90%

12.30%5.80%6.40%5.10%5.70%7.70%

4.30%6.40%

11.50%

33.60%39.90%

36.80%28.10%

33.00%34.30%

32.80%30.00%

36.90%32.60%

36.10%38.50%

30.70%42.50%

34.10%24.00%

26.10%38.30%

50.80%

46.00%38.40%

45.50%50.70%

47.80%44.00%46.30%

52.50%45.70%

44.80%35.80%45.00%

46.50%46.80%

45.30%45.70%50.50%

46.70%31.80%

9.70%2.60%11.50%

12.70%9.80%

9.50%9.00%

8.50%9.10%

12.20%10.00%

8.10%10.60%

4.20%10.60%

14.50%14.10%

3.60%3.10%

1.20%0.20%

1.30%1.70%0.60%

1.90%1.80%

1.20%0.10%1.10%3.10%

1.10%1.40%

0.70%0.70%

2.30%1.70%0.90%

0.10%

3.30%6.80%

0.80%2.80%2.30%

4.50%4.30%3.10%3.20%3.40%2.70%1.50%

4.40%0.70%

3.60%5.80%3.30%4.10%2.70%

How much did you know about the human rights before this interview?

A great dealA sufficient amountNot very much

39

SUMMARY OF THE SURVEY OF THE POPULATIONGenerally speaking, the Georgian population found it hard to provide a specific

definition for the term “human rights,” partly due to the fact that a short answer was

requested, not one coloured by multiple choice options. Respondents tended to

explain the term “human rights” in a very general manner. For 24% of the

respondents, it meant protection of people’s rights in all walks of life. The right to

engage in free and independent action (18%), freedom of speech (11%), rule of law

(9%) and equality (7%) were among the other answers given. Respondents’ confusion

over the term is shown by the fact that 14% of respondents said they were unable to

come up with a specific answer.

Sixty-four per cent of the respondents said human rights were not respected in their

country, which is a regrettably high figure. The attitude in the capital Tbilisi is

especially negative – the figure there was 77%. Women were more likely than men to

find that human rights were not respected. The 35-44 age group was also more likely

to have a negative opinion.

Due to Georgia’s complicated socioeconomic situation, human rights violations were

mentioned most in the social sphere but in other fields as well. Specifically, 12% of

inhabitants were concerned about social, economic and property rights, which is

curious as only 4% of respondents mentioned the social safety net in these fields as

the definition of the term “human rights.” Violations of rights in the socioeconomic

field were mentioned more often in Tbilisi (25%) than in other urban or rural regions

(12% and 7%). The major difference comes from the level of awareness and the

disparity in the availability of services. For example, only 6% of inhabitants of Tbilisi

considered availability of medical care to be a problem, but the figure was 11-13% in

other regions.

Few concrete cases were mentioned, and this can be attributed to modesty in

discussing cases publicly. Thirty-five per cent of respondents said “don’t know” or

“can’t say" when asked about a specific situation where their own human rights or

those of acquaintances had been violated.

For the predominant majority of the Georgian population, the media is the main

information source (85%). The second source mentioned as family and friends, but

40

the share of information obtained from them is significantly lower among those with

higher education. Obtaining of information from the Internet is low (25%), as people

lack access to the Internet in many parts of Georgia. The indicator is better in Tbilisi,

among younger people and the economically better-off. Facebook was mentioned

most often as the primary Internet source (6%). The activity of state institutions in the

field of human rights awareness is low, and thus only 5% of the population have

received the corresponding information from the state or local governments.

Regardless of the existence of different sources, over half of respondents consider

information about human rights to be sparse or insufficient. Georgians living outside

Tbilisi – particularly in the 35-44 age group – are most likely to consider information

insufficient. People said they wanted to receive more information on social and

economic fields, which were also the problem areas most frequently mentioned

earlier. Information on health and medical care was a second popular response. For a

large share of respondents, television was considered the best source of information

related to human rights.

The Georgian population was also asked about the universality of human rights. The

right to life was the most frequently mentioned universal human right (90%). It was

followed by several social topics: right to work, right to medical care, right to

education and social safety net, which reflect the problems mentioned by the

Georgian population. At the same time, some people’s fundamental rights such as

equality, freedom of speech, gender equality and right to property were not as

important for respondents.

In general, respondents understood human rights to be an integral part of everyday

life, but the understanding was impacted by the level of education and awareness. For

people with higher education, the importance of human rights is greater (81%) than it

is for those with lower educational attainment (71% and 60%).

As mentioned previously, Tbilisi residents were more aware of human rights and thus

they also consider them to be more important in daily life than people do in other

cities or rural areas. Many respondents outside Tbilisi said they concurred with the

assertion that “human rights violation is a problem in some countries but not in

Georgia.” The greater people’s awareness of human rights, the more likely they were

to consider the claim false.

41

The previously mentioned problem areas in Georgian society also came up in the

opinion on which rights were least protected. Ensuring social equality was considered

the most problematic. As long as these basic problems have not been resolved for

people, they find it hard to cite other areas of concern. Children’s rights and gender

equality were mentioned very infrequently. LGBT rights and racial and ethnic

equality were also mentioned quite little.

The survey also touched on international legal norms and national and international

organizations. When inhabitants were asked whether the European Convention on

Human Rights took precedence over rights under national law, one-fifth of

respondents skipped the question saying they lacked sufficient information on the

topic.

The largest number of respondents would contact Georgian courts in the event of

violation of their human rights, but this indicator was not all that high – 26%. As to

international organizations that monitor the human rights situation in Georgia, the UN

(36%) and the EU (12%) were mentioned most often, but 17% of the respondents

were unable to answer, showing low spread of information.

42

Documents

Research objective - Web viewLabor Code / work permit In every phere Information about citizens rights ... 0.019 0.15 0.097 0.095 0.093 0.102 0.051 0.121 0.101 0.091 0.074 It is rather