On March 8, at Orbeliani Palace, President Salome Zourabichvili of Georgia commemorated International Women’s Day by honoring female human rights defenders. During the event, Zourabichvili presented medals of honor to five human rights defenders and addressed the challenges confronting women in Georgia.
The President stressed the state’s obligation to combat violence against women and referenced the case of Khanum Jeiranova in her remarks. Salome Zourabichvili emphasized the significance of the state apologizing to Khanum Jeiranova’s children, stating that such an apology would convey a strong message to all women vulnerable to violence.
“The UN Committee on Discrimination against Women, with the active involvement of Sapari, considered this case and issued three recommendations in 2021: one of them was to punish the perpetrators of gender-based crimes against women. Almost 10 years after the crime, in 2023, the court issued a verdict. It is welcome that the state was able to detect this crime and punish the culprit. The second recommendation is about compensation – the court also determined the amount of compensation.
The third recommendation, which I would like to emphasize, was an apology from the state agencies to the children. I do not have the competence to apologize to these children – it is not within my constitutional rights, but I can wish and believe with you that this last step will be taken. Although it is symbolic, this symbolic step is a very serious message to all those who may find themselves in this situation, it is very important for them to know that the violation of dignity and such brutal crimes will not go unnoticed. This is an insult to our society and therefore our society must react to it.”
In 2014, Khanum Jeiranova endured severe physical and psychological violence in Lambalo village, Sagarejo district, resulting in her tragic death. The initial investigation portrayed her death as a suicide, but it failed to delve into the possibility of a staged suicide or recognize the underlying gender discrimination that fueled the violence against her. Nearly eight years after the incident, the prosecutor’s office finally charged the perpetrators. In January 2023, four of them were sentenced to 5 years and 6 months, while one received an 8-year sentence. Subsequently, in the same year, Khanum Jeiranova’s children received compensation totaling 100,000 GEL.
All five perpetrators were apprehended in 2022, following the decision of the UN Committee on Women (CEDAW). In 2018, Sapari, in collaboration with the Human Rights Center (HRC) and the European Human Rights Protection Center (EHRAC), submitted an application to the committee, seeking justice for Khanum Jeiranova.
