The Tactics Institute for Security and Counter-Terrorism strongly condemns the violence against ongoing protests and demonstrators in Georgia. The Tactics Institute is deeply concerned regarding the current situation given reports of brutality against the Georgian citizens exerting their fundamental rights.
Georgia has been witnessing protests against Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s decision last month to discontinue negotiations on the country’s proposal to join the European Union until 2028. Angry demonstrators assembled in front of the parliament building in the capital Tbilisi.
Holding Georgian and European Union flags, they also restated their call for the administration to carry out new parliamentary elections. The demonstrators also urged the release of those imprisoned during the incidents that happened in the early days of the protests.
Months of demonstrations have seized Georgia, encouraged by widespread resistance to the newly elected government and, as of December 14, its new president. Despite climbing public pressure and global criticism, the ruling Georgian Dream administration has not budged, becoming increasingly bold against protesting Georgians.
In light of ongoing demonstrations, the authorities have raised a set of modifications to the Administrative Offenses Code, providing more power to the police to jail protesters in the lack of due process, increased penalties, and additional limitations. Meanwhile, the current government’s officials are confronting sanctions and severe criticism internationally. Many of the country’s ambassadors have informed their decision to leave their posts following the ruling party’s conclusion to discontinue its European Union membership bid.
The Tactics Institute calls for an immediate cessation of the persecution of political opposition and civil society and stresses the need to uphold democratic codes as outlined in Georgia’s Constitution. We call on the Georgian authorities to support the fundamental freedoms of assembly and expression. We strongly reiterate that the disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force by law enforcement officials against protesters comprises serious violations of the right to peaceful assembly.
