Authors

  • Bidzina Lebanidze

    Dr.Bidzina Lebanidze is the visiting lecturer at Berlin School of Economics and Law, researcher at Free University of Berlin and associated fellow at Kolleg-Forschergruppe “The Transformative Power of Europe”. Since 2014 he has been conducting a research within the FP7 project MAXCAP (Maximizing the integration capacity of the European Union). He obtained his PhD degree in political science from Free University of Berlin, and Master’s degree in international relations from Tbilisi State University. Previously, he also worked for the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation and lectured at Ilia State University

  • Shota Kakabadze

    Shota Kakabadze is a Junior Policy Analyst at the Georgian Institute of Politics. He is a Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science from the University of Tartu (Estonia). Shota has obtained his Masters degree in the European Union – Russia Studies from the same university. During his doctoral studies he has been a Swedish Institute Research Fellow at Uppsala University Institute of Russia and Eurasian Studies, as well as a Junior Researcher of International Relations at the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies at the University of Tartu. His main research interest includes discourses on national identity, foreign policy, Eastern Partnership. He has published several academic articles and a book chapter on Georgian national identity/foreign policy relationship.

25/11/2021 Bidzina Lebanidze

De-radicalization and Integration Legal & Policy Framework in Georgia

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Authors

  • Bidzina Lebanidze

    Dr.Bidzina Lebanidze is the visiting lecturer at Berlin School of Economics and Law, researcher at Free University of Berlin and associated fellow at Kolleg-Forschergruppe “The Transformative Power of Europe”. Since 2014 he has been conducting a research within the FP7 project MAXCAP (Maximizing the integration capacity of the European Union). He obtained his PhD degree in political science from Free University of Berlin, and Master’s degree in international relations from Tbilisi State University. Previously, he also worked for the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation and lectured at Ilia State University

  • Shota Kakabadze

    Shota Kakabadze is a Junior Policy Analyst at the Georgian Institute of Politics. He is a Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science from the University of Tartu (Estonia). Shota has obtained his Masters degree in the European Union – Russia Studies from the same university. During his doctoral studies he has been a Swedish Institute Research Fellow at Uppsala University Institute of Russia and Eurasian Studies, as well as a Junior Researcher of International Relations at the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies at the University of Tartu. His main research interest includes discourses on national identity, foreign policy, Eastern Partnership. He has published several academic articles and a book chapter on Georgian national identity/foreign policy relationship.

Publish Date:
25-11-2021

Originally published by D.Rad

The country report produced for the D.Rad, analyzes legal and policy frameworks for deradicalization and integration in Georgia. It unpacks the existing laws and policies, addresses radicalization issues, identifies major gaps and flaws, and provides policy-relevant recommendations on how to improve legal and policy frameworks. After providing a brief contextual and historical overview of radicalization and deradicalization policies and practices in Georgia, the report focuses on two particular case studies of attempted deradicalization by the Georgian state authorities: the government’s policy response to Islamist radicalization in the Pankisi Gorge and radicalization motivated by Orthodox Christian fundamentalists. 

Overall, formally Georgia remains a secular state with legislation and a constitution guaranteeing equality and the same rights for everyone. However, the report also identified some worrying trends in the deradicalization legal and policy frameworks of Georgia and their practical application by the state authorities. The state authorities often tend to securitize minority issues. This often leads to a less inclusive minority policy leaving space open for the radicalization of religious minorities in Pankisi Gorge and other regions. On the other hand, the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) enjoys asymmetric advantages in many areas of social and public life. While the GOC formally remains loyal to Georgia’s Europeanization and democratic development, a section of the clergy also holds radical views and incites violence against sexual minorities among their supporters.

Two case studies and other examples explored in this report indicate that Georgia’s policy framework for deradicalization seems to be both conceptually and practically underdeveloped. It lacks coherence, consistency, and any inclusive agenda agreed upon in participation with all important stakeholders. The policies designed by the government are usually patchy, ad hoc, and lack strategic thinking. Instead, what Georgia needs is a comprehensive deradicalization strategy to strengthen the country’s resilience against present and future threats of radicalization. Even though the country is not exposed to any major radicalization threat now, new risks may emerge in the foreseeable future.

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Bidzina Lebanidze

Dr.Bidzina Lebanidze is the visiting lecturer at Berlin School of Economics and Law, researcher at Free University of Berlin and associated fellow at Kolleg-Forschergruppe “The Transformative Power of Europe”. Since 2014 he has been conducting a research within the FP7 project MAXCAP (Maximizing the integration capacity of the European Union). He obtained his PhD degree in political science from Free University of Berlin, and Master’s degree in international relations from Tbilisi State University. Previously, he also worked for the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation and lectured at Ilia State University