The international human rights organization Human Rights Watch urges the European Union to take concrete, decisive action to prevent further escalation of the human rights crisis in Georgia and to impose sanctions on government officials responsible for the violence against protestors.
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The Human Rights Watch statement comes ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers scheduled for December 16, during which the situation in Georgia will be one of the topics discussed.
“The government responded to the protests with teargas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. Police beat, chased down, and detained largely peaceful protesters. Riot police, as well as violent mobs presumably associated with authorities, have beaten opposition media and independent journalists and interfered with media coverage. Several hundred protesters have been arrested on various misdemeanor and criminal charges. Many reported beatings and ill-treatment in detention; dozens required hospitalization. Despite domestic and international pressure, the government is intensifying the crackdown,” the human rights organization said in a statement.
Human Rights Watch notes that, amid the political and constitutional crisis in Georgia following the parliamentary elections, the government’s brutal response to the protests risks pushing the country into an even deeper human rights crisis.
The organization believes that EU foreign ministers should also call for an independent investigation into the crackdown on peaceful anti-government protests.
“The EU has deplored authorities’ repressive actions, but it's time for decisive steps.
The EU should seek independent investigations into the post-election violence by experts from the Council of Europe and the United Nations, calling on them to examine the unlawful use of force, arbitrary detention, and the mounting evidence of ill-treatment and torture.
Additionally, EU member states should muster the consensus to use the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime to sanction officials responsible for authorizing and carrying out beatings and violence against Georgia’s protesters. The EU should also consider imposing Schengen visa requirements for Georgian government officials and diplomats,” Human Rights Watch stated, emphasizing that sanctions against the government should be accompanied by increased support for civil society and the media.
Protests in Tbilisi and the regions began on November 28 after the illegitimate Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced a freeze on the EU integration process. According to Georgian Dream, Georgia will not prioritize opening EU accession negotiations until the end of 2028.
On this topic:
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