International Outcry over Police Crackdown on Protest against Foreign Agents Bill

During the late hours of April 30th and into the early hours of May 1st, law enforcement forcefully cracked down on peaceful demonstrators along Rustaveli Avenue protesting the Foreign Agents Bill, resulting in 63 arrests and numerous injuries to the protesters. Police used pepper spray, tear gas and water cannon against the demonstrators. Those crack downs continued during demonstrations in the following days.

Civil.ge compiled some of the international reactions to the developments in Tbilisi.

Friday, May 3

Hadja Lahbib, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and the Federal Cultural Institutions: “Georgians are peacefully protesting against the law on foreign influence. A law that raises concerns about a regression in respect for European values. I condemn the violence and repression against the protesters. They want a European future. Their voice must be heard.”

Michael Roth, Chair of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee: Unity is key! We’re all committed to European values. Georgian people are fighting for all of us. Freedom and democracy will win!”

Danish MFA: “Denmark supports a democratic Georgia in EU. The “transparency law” is not in line with EU norms and the Georgian authorities’ disproportionate use of force against the protesters is disrupting Georgia’s path to EU membership. Call on the Georgian government to uphold the right to peaceful assembly and free speech.”

Thursday, May 2

Baiba Braže, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia: “The situation in Georgia is very alarming. Latvia condemns the use of violence against peaceful protestors. As I told Georgia’s minister of Foreign Affairs Ilia Darchiashvili on Tuesday, the draft law of foreign influence undermines Georgias’ EU aspirations.”

Maia Sandu, President of Moldova: “Moldova stands with the people of Georgia who show unwavering courage and a deep commitment to democracy and freedom. We support their aspirations to strengthen democratic institutions and build a future aligned with European values.”

Embassy of Poland in Georgia: “We are observing the current situation in Tbilisi, Georgia with concern. The use of force against protests is unacceptable. We urge the authorities to engage in dialogue with the pro-European society of Georgia and implement democratic reforms.”

Dutch MFA: “The Netherlands is a long-standing supporter of Georgia’s democratic development. Anti-Western statements by Georgian officials do not reflect our partnership’s spirit. We urge authorities to avoid steps that obstruct widely supported EU integration, and ensure the right to peaceful assembly.”

Antonio Tajani, Vice President of the Council of Ministers of Italy: “We are closely following what is happening in Tbilisi. We condemn the use of violence during demonstrations in the capital. The Italian government supports Georgia’s entry into the European Union.”

Thomas Hacker, Member of the German Bundestag: “Today’s Georgian Dream is more and more a profound nightmare for the people of Georgia and their wish for a European future. Violence against peaceful protestors is a sign of losing the people and decline of legitimacy.”

U.S. Helsinki Commission: “Georgia’s people have chosen a democratic and Euro-Atlantic future. The United States will always support that choice and stand with them against those who suppress their freedom.”

Sen. Jim Risch, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member: “I’m concerned about the Foreign Agents Law that Ivanishvili & his Georgian Dream Party seem determined to pass, even though it moves them further from European integration. NGOs should be allowed to work in peace, w/o interference from a gov’t that doesn’t like their work.”

British Embassy in Georgia: “We continue to watch unfolding events very closely. The people of Georgia are loud and clear in their wish to become members of Euro-Atlantic family. Their voices must be heard. Their right to peaceful protest must be respected.”

Nus Ghani, State Minister for Industry and Economic Security of the United Kingdom: “I am following events in Georgia closely. Excessive use of force by police against peaceful protesters in Tbilisi is not in line with democratic values and risks Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. I urge the authorities to exercise restraint.”

Wednesday, May 1

Joseph Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission: “I strongly condemn the violence against protesters in Georgia who were peacefully demonstrating against the law on foreign influence. Georgia is an EU candidate country, I call on its authorities to ensure the right to peaceful assembly. Use of force to suppress it is unacceptable”

Edgars Rinkēvičs, President of Latvia: “My solidarity with the people of Georgia and their struggle for their European dream.”

Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister: “Georgia’s EU candidate status is a historic opportunity supported by tens of thousands of people on the streets. Its foundation is a democratic, vibrant and critical civil society. It is up to the government not to deliberately block the path to the future.”

Katrin Göring-Eckardt, Vice President of the Bundestag: “The Georgian people want peace and freedom. They have chosen the European path. I am concerned about how the government in Tbilisi is trying to suppress this with violence. In doing so, they are blocking the path to the EU – exactly what Russia wants, which is destabilising the country.”

Michael Roth, Chair of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee: Dear Prime Minister Kobakhidze. Stop immediately the violence against your citizens, demonstrating peacefully on the streets for European values. Withdraw the Foreign Agents Law! Don’t destroy Georgia’s future which lies in the very heart of Europe!”

Peter Fischer, German Ambassador to Georgia: “Violence and personal injuries this night at Tbilisi Protests. The violence should stop. It is never a solution. Germany and the EU are following and evaluating these events closely. We are partners and friends of Georgia for peace, freedom and development.”

Swedish MFA: “Deeply worrying scenes in Tbilisi last night. Use of force to suppress peaceful demonstrations is unacceptable. The EU and Sweden are closely following and evaluating the events in Georgia.”

Norwegian MFA: “Deeply concerned by reports of disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters in Tbilisi. We urge all actors to refrain from violence, and call on Georgia’s government to uphold the right to peaceful protest and assembly.”

Margus Tsahkna, Foreign Minister of Estonia: “Today marks Estonia’s 20 years in EU and with deep disappointment we saw Georgia passing the „transparency on foreign influence“ draft law in 2nd reading despite the calls not to. Violence against peaceful protesters and this law is not a way to the European Union.”

Anna Lyberg, Swedish Ambassador to Georgia: “Concerned about violence on the streets of Tbilisi last night. Further protests expected today. Will continue to follow closely. Use of force to suppress peaceful demonstrations is never the answer.”

Viola Von Cramon, MEP to Gert Ian Koopman, EU Directorate-General Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations: “Please use the visit today to tell the Georgia’s authorities to STOP beating up their people. No more violence and brutality against peaceful protesters. Tell them to withdraw from the Russian Law – no more nice projects & happy pictures with Georgian officials.” Later she shared HR/VP Borrell’s statement on X, and added that “we need concrete consequences! – withdrawal of the EU-candidate status, – stop the funds for Georgia’s projects – sanction Bidzina Ivanishvilli – travel bans for MPs who vote in favour of the Russian Law.”

Andrius Kubilius, MEP: “The same path is followed by Putin, Lukashenko, and Ivanishvili: first-brutal force against peaceful demonstrations, then the establishment of a dictatorship against the democratic future of a country. Future of dictatorships is always the same: sanctions, collapse, and Tribunal.”

Miriam Lexmann, MEP: “I’m abhorred by the images of police brutality against protesters in Tbilisi. This is not law enforcement. Instead of calming the situation, the GD government is fueling tension, polarisation and sliding Georgia towards Russian-style authoritarianism.”

Rasa Juknevičienė, MEP: “The masks have come off—Ivanishvili has revealed his opposition to Georgia’s European direction, showing his true colors. He was never in favor. Now is a crucial moment for Georgia’s future. I believe in the Georgian people; they will defend Georgia’s European path!”

Michael Gahler, MEP: “After godfather Ivanishvili‘s speech it is obvious, who is the real foreign agent. This law serves to prepare the ground to crush civil society and any democratic dissent and will ultimately serve the Russian Dream and result in a Georgian nightmare.”

Freedom House: “We condemn the Georgian police’s use of tear gas and water canons in Tbilisi last night to disperse peaceful protestors, who were demonstrating against the proposed foreign agents law in parliament. The Georgian authorities must uphold the people’s right to peaceful assembly and expression.”

More to follow…

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