UN Experts Condemn Repression of Peaceful Protesters
UN human rights experts, including Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, condemned the escalating repression against peaceful demonstrators in Georgia. The experts expressed grave concern that the government’s actions may worsen, especially with the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for December 14.
“We are seriously concerned that the repression may escalate, particularly ahead of presidential elections set for Saturday, 14 December. The government must change course immediately and seek national reconciliation, ensuring full respect for human rights,” the experts stated.
The statement highlights the ongoing political unrest in Georgia, noting that it has “has limited the space for freedom of expression, association, a ssembly and human rights defender in the country” adding that “Yet with the latest crackdown, the government appears to have moved even closer to full-scale suppression of dissent.”
On December 12, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili confirmed that she had sent detailed reports documenting the brutal reprisals against citizens to international partners, including Irene Khan and Gina Romero. The reports underscore the gravity of the government’s crackdown on protests, which erupted in response to the ruling Georgian Dream party’s decision to halt the EU integration process.
The repression has been marked by the excessive use of force, illegal arrests, and the deployment of tear gas and water cannons in unnecessary situations, along with accounts of inhumane treatment and torture. These actions not only violate Georgian law but also international human rights conventions to which Georgia is bound.
International condemnation has been swift, with the United States and several European nations, including Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine, imposing sanctions on Georgian officials responsible for the repression.
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