The professors, lecturers, and doctoral students of higher educational institutions in Georgia state that they strongly condemn the misuse of Tbilisi State University premises on November 19, the violent suppression of peaceful protests through excessive force, and the blatant disregard for the principles of freedom.
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The university, whose doors should always remain open to students and professors, acted contrary to its fundamental mission today. It closed its doors to them and allowed security forces to attack the participants of a peaceful protest, including students from the university itself.
“This action insults the university as a symbol of freedom and progress, undermines academic independence, and contradicts its historic mission,” the statement read.
The signatories, numbering up to 400, assert that educational spaces - particularly Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, as Georgia’s first national university - should be places where the fundamental rights of every individual, including freedom of expression, are protected regardless of personal beliefs or opinions.
“This principle, which underpins the existence of all educational institutions, has been grossly violated today,” representatives of the academic community declared. They placed blame on “the university’s academic council and the rector, who has remained silent and has yet to issue a statement.”
“We stand in solidarity with the younger generation's determination to safeguard Georgia’s European course and democratic future. This struggle is not just the students’ fight - it is a collective effort of our society, rooted in democratic values that form the foundation for Georgia’s free and independent development. It is our duty to stand where the voices of students fighting for freedom are heard.
The university cannot become a closed space or an accomplice to violence - it must remain a bastion of freedom, critical thinking, and progress,” the statement continued.
According to footage and media reports, in the early hours of November 19, before the protest in front of the first building of TSU was dispersed, a contingent of police entered the university courtyard. This prompted students to demand the resignation of the rector, Jaba Samushia.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs later addressed the situation, stating: “On November 18-19, neither the building nor the courtyard of Tbilisi State University housed any headquarters, nor were employees of the Special Tasks Department mobilized there.”
“The Ministry explained that criminal police officers entered the university courtyard after protest participants started several fires at the central entrance. It should be noted that the courtyard and pantheon of Tbilisi State University are open spaces accessible to anyone, including protest participants, who freely used the university grounds during the rally,” the Ministry’s statement read.
On November 19, during the dispersal of protests on Chavchavadze and Melikishvili Avenues, police administratively detained 16 individuals. Of these, 10 reported to the Public Defender that they were subjected to mistreatment or excessive force.
